With cold weather approaching, you might be thinking about how well your old air source heat pump is going to work this year. You might also be wondering 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 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 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 provide you with heating and cooling.
We're going to go over this topic today, as well as:
- How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF affect your heating and cooling 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 measures how efficient air source heat pumps are at using electricity for air conditioning. The greater 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 a different heat pump rating system that measures how well air source heat pumps will work during the heating season. The higher 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 regarded 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 meet strict requirements set forth 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 higher
- SEER rating of 15 or greater
- This can lower 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 choosing 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 allows for a heat pump with lower 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 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, changing from 10 SEER to 14 SEER will make a major difference on your heating and cooling bill.
It's also important to note that most heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with appropriate service. When yours starts to approach this age, you'll want to think about getting a new one.
In the past, heat pumps were restricted to locations that didn't have cold climates, due to of the way heat pumps work to pull heat from the air. Today's heat pump systems are also created to withstand colder outdoor air and a cold climate during the winter. This lowers your dependence on a supplemental heat source, electric resistance heating or baseboard heaters during the heating season.
Upgrading your heat pump with Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning 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 switch aging air source systems. But if you want comfier home temperatures with lower energy bills in the future, it might be a good idea to see our new heat pump units.
At Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning we make upgrading a convenient process by giving free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just give us a call at 402-509-5940 to book yours now. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Omaha your friends and neighbors have trusted since 1961.