With wintertime approaching, you might be thinking about how well your existing air source heat pump is going to work 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 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 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 interact to supply your heating and cooling.
We're going to go over this topic now, plus:
- How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF affect 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 evaluates how efficient air source heat pumps are at utilizing 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 perform during the heating season. The better 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, because 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 regarded 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 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, as well as decrease greenhouse gas emissions that play a role in global climate change.
How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Heat Pump
When selecting your heat pump's efficiency rating, just like any other household equipment, the most important thing is to choose one that has an energy efficiency rating that fits your budget.
If your budget only fits 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 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 major difference on your heating and cooling bill.
It's also essential to know that most heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with proper maintenance. When yours starts to get close to this age, you'll want to think about getting a new one.
In the past, heat pumps were limited to places that didn't have cold climates, due to of the way heat pumps work to pull heat from the air. Modern heat pump systems are also created to endure colder outdoor air and a cold climate during the winter. This lowers your reliance on a supplemental heat source, electric resistance heating or baseboard heaters during the heating season.
Replacing your heat pump with AZ Air Conditioning and Heating may be more affordable 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 down the road, it might be a good idea to check out new heat pump units.
At AZ Air Conditioning and Heating we make upgrading an easy process by giving free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just call us at 800-296-5088 to book yours now. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Los Angeles your friends and neighbors have trusted since 1984.