With wintertime approaching, you might be wondering how well your existing air source heat pump is going to run this year. You might also be wondering 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 bills 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 interact to provide you with heating and cooling.
We're going to discuss 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 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 evaluates how efficient air source heat pumps are at using electricity for cooling. The greater 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 another heat pump rating system that measures how well air source heat pumps will work during the heating season. The better the number, the more efficient your heating system will be at using 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 rigorous 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 achieve 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, as well as decrease 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 significant thing is to select one that has an energy efficiency rating that you can afford.
If your budget only fits a heat pump with lesser ratings, don't fret! 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 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 should be at least 14 SEER.
- So, switching from 10 SEER to 14 SEER will make a major difference on your heating and cooling bill.
It's also important to note that the majority of heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with appropriate maintenance. 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, because of the way heat pumps work to extract heat from the air. Modern heat pump systems are also made to withstand 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.
Upgrading your heat pump with Hix Air Conditioning Service, 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 affordable than you realize.
It’s not easy to find the time and money to replace aging air source systems. But if you want comfier home temperatures with lower energy bills in the future, it might be worthwhile to see our new heat pump units.
At Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. we make upgrading an easy process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just give us a call at 918-682-8238 to book yours now. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Muskogee your friends and neighbors have trusted since 1985.