With wintertime approaching, you might be wondering how well your existing air source heat pump is going to work this year. You might also be wondering if now is a good 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 a combined 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 work together to supply your heating and cooling.
We're going to discuss this topic now, plus:
- How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF affect your heating and cooling bill.
- How ENERGY STAR® certification 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 calculates how efficient air source heat pumps are at utilizing electricity for cooling. 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 calculates how well air source heat pumps will perform during the heating season. The better the number, the more efficient your heating system will be at consuming electricity for warm air. This is especially important for saving money in colder climates, since 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 satisfy strict 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 greater
- SEER rating of 15 or higher
- This can reduce your heat pump's operating costs, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions that play a role in global warming.
How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Heat Pump
When choosing your heat pump's efficiency rating, just like any other household appliance, the most important thing is to choose one that has an energy efficiency rating that you can afford.
If your budget only fits a heat pump with lower 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 guidelines required 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 heating and cooling bill.
It's also important to know that most heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with proper service. When yours starts to approach 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 tolerate colder outdoor air and a cold climate during the winter. This reduces your dependence on a supplemental heat source, electric resistance heating or baseboard heaters during the heating season.
Replacing your heat pump with A2Z Air Inc may be more affordable than you think it is. 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 replace aging air source systems. But if you want comfier home temperatures with cheaper energy bills in the future, it might be worthwhile to check out new heat pump units.
At A2Z Air Inc we make upgrading a convenient process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just call us at 561-270-6228 to request yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Boynton Beach your friends and neighbors have trusted since 2005.