With cold weather approaching, you might be wondering how well your existing air source heat pump is going to run this year. You might also be questioning 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 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 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 go over this topic today, plus:
- 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 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 calculates how efficient air source heat pumps are at using 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 work during the heating season. The greater the number, the better your heating system will be at consuming 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 considered 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 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 greater
- This can reduce your heat pump's operating costs, plus reduce 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 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 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 regulations 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 should 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 essential to know that most heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with proper service. When yours begins to approach this age, you'll want to think about getting a new one.
In previous years, heat pumps were restricted to locations 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 endure 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 CNR Air Conditioning Inc may be more reasonably priced than you realize. Between rebates, special offers and financing for qualified customers, getting 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 more comfortable home temperatures with cheaper energy bills in the future, it might be worth your while to check out new heat pump units.
At CNR Air Conditioning Inc we make upgrading a convenient process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just contact us at 239-241-5318 to book yours now. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Naples your friends and neighbors have trusted since 2002.