With winter approaching, you might be thinking about how well your outdated air source heat pump is going to run this year. You might also be questioning if now is a wise time to do heat pump installation.
A new air source heat pump is more energy efficient and can help you spend less on energy costs over its lifetime.
They're an all-in-one heating system and cooling system. These heat pumps transfer heat from the outdoor air to make your house cooler or warmer. They don't generate heat or air conditioning like a natural gas furnace or a standard central air conditioner. A heat pump has indoor and outdoor units that interact to provide you with heating and cooling.
We're going to discuss this topic today, as well as:
- How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF impact your heating and cooling bill.
- How ENERGY STAR® models can help you save money.
- How to select an energy-efficient heat pump system for your home.
What is SEER in Heat Pump?
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is a heat pump rating system that evaluates how efficient air source heat pumps are at using electricity for air conditioning. The higher the SEER, the better they are at transferring heat during the cooling season.
What is a Good SEER Rating for a Heat Pump?
A heat pump with a SEER between 14 and 16 is regarded as having good energy efficiency.
What is HSPF in Heat Pumps?
HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) is another heat pump rating system that measures how well air source heat pumps will perform during the heating season. The higher the number, the better your heating system will be at using electricity for warm air. This is very important for saving money in colder climates, since your heat pump won't have to run as hard as it transfers heat.
What is a Good HSPF Rating for a Heat Pump?
Heat pump systems with an HSPF between 8 and 10 are regarded to be energy efficient and can help keep heating costs down during cold weather.
What Does ENERGY STAR Mean on a Heat Pump?
ENERGY STAR air source heat pumps meet rigorous requirements set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for both heating efficiency and cooling efficiency, so you know these high-efficiency heat pumps will work well.
Air source heat pumps qualify for ENERGY STAR if they have:
- HSPF rating of 8.5 or greater
- SEER rating of 15 or higher
- This can lower your heat pump's operating costs, as well as lower greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change.
How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Heat Pump
When selecting your heat pump's efficiency rating, just like any other household appliance, the most significant thing is to choose one that has an energy efficiency rating that fits your budget.
If your budget only allows for a heat pump with lesser ratings, don't fret! Even a new model with a lower rating is going to use less energy than one that's 10 or 15 years old. Here's why.
- From 1999 to 2005, federal guidelines mandated air source heat pumps to have a 10 SEER rating.
- That number went up to 13 from 2006 to 2014.
- Today, a new heat pump must be at least 14 SEER.
- So, switching from 10 SEER to 14 SEER will make a big difference on your energy bill.
It's also essential to know that most heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with appropriate maintenance. When yours starts to get close to this age, you'll want to think about getting a new one.
In previous years, heat pumps were limited to locations that didn't have cold climates, due to of the way heat pumps work to pull heat from the air. Modern heat pump systems are also made to tolerate colder outdoor air and a cold climate during the winter. This lowers your reliance on a supplemental heat source, electric resistance heating or baseboard heaters during the heating season.
Upgrading your heat pump with North Mechanical Heating and Cooling may be more affordable than you realize. Between rebates, special offers and financing for qualified customers, getting new HVAC systems may be more affordable than you think it is.
It’s not easy to find the time and money to switch aging air source systems. But if you want more comfortable home temperatures with cheaper energy costs in the future, it might be beneficial to see our new heat pump units.
At North Mechanical Heating and Cooling we make upgrading a convenient process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just call us at 928-263-8570 to request yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Payson your friends and neighbors have trusted since 2004.