With cold temperatures approaching, you might be wondering how well your existing air source heat pump is going to work this year. You might also be questioning if now is a smart time to do heat pump installation.
A new air source heat pump is more energy efficient and can help you save big on energy bills 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 residence cooler or warmer. They don’t create heat or air conditioning like a natural gas furnace or a traditional central air conditioner. A heat pump has indoor and outdoor units that work together to provide you with heating and cooling.
We’re going to go over this topic today, plus:
- How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF impact your energy 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 evaluates how efficient air source heat pumps are at utilizing electricity for air conditioning. The greater 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 a different heat pump rating system that calculates how well air source heat pumps will perform during the heating season. The higher the number, the more efficient your heating system will be at utilizing electricity for warm air. This is especially important for saving money in colder climates, considering 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 lower during cold weather.
What Does ENERGY STAR Mean on a Heat Pump?
ENERGY STAR air source heat pumps satisfy 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 run well.
Air source heat pumps achieve 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, as well as decrease greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Heat Pump
When selecting your heat pump’s efficiency rating, just like any other household appliance, the most important thing is to pick one that has an energy-efficiency rating that fits your budget.
If your budget only fits a heat pump with lesser ratings, don’t fret! Even a new one with a lower rating is going to consume 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 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 big difference on your heating and cooling bill.
It’s also essential to note 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 replacing it.
In previous years, heat pumps were restricted to places that didn’t have cold climates, due to of the way heat pumps work to extract heat from the air. Modern heat pump systems are also made to tolerate 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 Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning may be more affordable than you realize. 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 switch aging air source systems. But if you want more comfortable home temperatures with cheaper energy costs in the future, it might be a good idea to check out new heat pump units.
At Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning we make upgrading a convenient process by giving free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just contact us at 734-284-1224 to book yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Wyandotte your friends and neighbors have trusted since {year}.
