With cold weather approaching, you might be thinking about how well your outdated air source heat pump is going to run this year.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 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 today, as well as:
- How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF impact your heating and cooling bill.
- How ENERGY STAR® certification can help you save 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 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 measures how well air source heat pumps will perform during the heating season. The greater 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 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 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 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 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 important 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 fret! Even a new model with a lower rating is going to use 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 should be at least 14 SEER.
- So, switching from 10 SEER to 14 SEER will make a major difference on your energy bill.
It's also essential to note that the majority of heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with proper service. When yours begins to get close to this age, you'll want to think about replacing it.
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. Today's heat pump systems are also made to withstand colder outdoor air and a cold climate during the winter. This reduces your reliance on a supplemental heat source, electric resistance heating or baseboard heaters during the heating season.
Upgrading your heat pump with Ambient Air may be more reasonably priced than you realize. Between rebates, special offers and financing for qualified customers, getting new HVAC systems may be more budget friendly than you think it is.
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 costs down the road, it might be beneficial to check out new heat pump units.
At Ambient Air we make updating an easy process by giving free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just call us at 520-357-4912 to book yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Tucson your friends and neighbors have trusted since 2001.