With cold temperatures approaching, you might be wondering how well your old 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 save big 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 home 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 supply your heating and cooling.
We're going to go over 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® certification can help you save money.
- How to choose 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 measures how efficient air source heat pumps are at utilizing electricity for cooling. The greater the SEER, the more efficient 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 a different heat pump rating system that measures how well air source heat pumps will perform during the heating season. The better the number, the better your heating system will be at using electricity for warm air. This is especially important for saving money in colder climates, because your heat pump won't have to work 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 established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for both heating efficiency and cooling efficiency, so you know these high-efficiency heat pumps will operate well.
Air source heat pumps qualify for ENERGY STAR if they have:
- HSPF rating of 8.5 or higher
- SEER rating of 15 or greater
- This can lower your heat pump's operating costs, plus decrease greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Heat Pump
When choosing your heat pump's efficiency rating, just like any other household equipment, the most important thing is to select 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 one 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 regulations required air source heat pumps to have a 10 SEER rating.
- That number increased to 13 from 2006 to 2014.
- Today, a new heat pump must be at least 14 SEER.
- So, changing from 10 SEER to 14 SEER will make a major difference on your energy bill.
It's also important to note that the majority of heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with proper maintenance. When yours starts to get close to this age, you'll want to think about getting a new one.
In the past, heat pumps were restricted to areas that didn't have cold climates, due to of the way heat pumps work to pull heat from the air. Today's heat pump systems are also made to withstand colder outdoor air and a cold climate during the winter. This decreases your reliance on a supplemental heat source, electric resistance heating or baseboard heaters during the heating season.
Replacing your heat pump with Comfort Zone, LLC may be more reasonably priced than you think it is. Between rebates, special offers and financing for qualified customers, buying new HVAC systems may be more budget friendly than you think it is.
It’s not easy to find the time and money to replace aging air source systems. But if you want comfier home temperatures with smaller energy bills in the future, it might be worth your while to see our new heat pump units.
At Comfort Zone, LLC we make updating a convenient process by giving free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just call us at 239-214-0411 to request yours now. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Cape Coral your friends and neighbors have trusted since 1985.