With cold temperatures approaching, you might be thinking about 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 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 affect your energy bill.
- How ENERGY STAR® models can help you spend less 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 air conditioning. The higher 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 considered to have 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 work during the heating season. The higher the number, the more efficient your heating system will be at using 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 considered to be energy efficient and can help keep heating costs low 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 higher
- SEER rating of 15 or higher
- This can lower your heat pump's operating costs, plus decrease greenhouse gas emissions that play a role in global climate change.
How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Heat Pump
When choosing your heat pump's efficiency rating, just like any other household equipment, the most significant thing is to select 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 model 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 increased 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 note 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 replacing it.
In previous years, heat pumps were restricted to areas 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 B&D Air Conditioning may be more reasonably priced than you realize. 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 cheaper energy costs in the future, it might be beneficial to see our new heat pump units.
At B&D Air Conditioning we make upgrading a convenient process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just contact us at 928-432-6018 to request yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Safford your friends and neighbors have trusted since 1984.