With cold temperatures approaching, you might be wondering how well your old air source heat pump is going to work 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 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 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 work together 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 energy bill.
- How ENERGY STAR® certification can help you spend less 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 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 operate during the heating season. The higher the number, the better your heating system will be at utilizing 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 deemed to be energy efficient and can help keep heating costs down during cold conditions.
What Does ENERGY STAR Mean on a Heat Pump?
ENERGY STAR air source heat pumps meet strict 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 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 system, the most significant thing is to choose one that has an energy-efficiency rating that you can afford.
If your budget only allows for a heat pump with lower ratings, don’t worry! 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 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 should 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 service. When yours starts to get close to this age, you’ll want to think about replacing it.
In the past, heat pumps were limited 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 created to withstand colder outdoor air and a cold climate during the winter. This lessens your dependence on a supplemental heat source, electric resistance heating or baseboard heaters during the heating season.
Upgrading your heat pump with Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. may be more reasonably priced 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 more comfortable home temperatures with smaller energy bills down the road, it might be worthwhile to see our new heat pump units.
At Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. we make upgrading an easy process by giving free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just give us a call at 973-270-9244 to book yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Sussex County your friends and neighbors have trusted since {year}.