With winter approaching, you might be thinking about how well your outdated air source heat pump is going to run this year.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 spend less 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 supply your heating and cooling.
We're going to discuss this topic now, as well as:
- How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF affect your heating and cooling bill.
- How ENERGY STAR® models 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 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 considered to have 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 higher the number, the better 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 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 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 operate well.
Air source heat pumps achieve ENERGY STAR if they have:
- HSPF rating of 8.5 or higher
- SEER rating of 15 or greater
- This can reduce your heat pump's operating costs, as well as reduce 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 equipment, the most significant thing is to select 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 must 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 important to note that the majority of 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 restricted to places that didn't have cold climates, because of the way heat pumps work to pull heat from the air. Modern heat pump systems are also made to tolerate 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 Kilbourne Heating & AC may be more reasonably priced than you realize. Between rebates, special offers and financing for qualified customers, buying new HVAC systems may be more budget friendly than you realize.
It’s not easy to find the time and money to switch aging air source systems. But if you want comfier home temperatures with smaller energy costs in the future, it might be worthwhile to see our new heat pump units.
At Kilbourne Heating & AC we make updating a convenient process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just call us at 561-287-7071 to book yours now. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Delray Beach your friends and neighbors have trusted since 1986.