With cold temperatures approaching, you might be thinking about how well your outdated air source heat pump is going to work this year.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 save big 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 residence cooler or warmer. They don’t produce heat or air conditioning like a natural gas furnace or a traditional central air conditioner. A heat pump has indoor and outdoor units that work together 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 affect your energy 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 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 another heat pump rating system that calculates how well air source heat pumps will work during the heating season. The higher the number, the more efficient your heating system will be at utilizing electricity for warm air. This is particularly 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 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 achieve ENERGY STAR if they have:
- HSPF rating of 8.5 or higher
- SEER rating of 15 or higher
- This can reduce your heat pump’s operating costs, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions that play a role in global climate change.
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 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 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 mandated air source heat pumps to have a 10 SEER rating.
- That number increased 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 big difference on your energy bill.
It’s also essential to know that the majority of heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with appropriate maintenance. When yours begins to approach this age, you’ll want to think about getting a new one.
In previous years, heat pumps were limited 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 endure colder outdoor air and a cold climate during the winter. This lessens your reliance on a supplemental heat source, electric resistance heating or baseboard heaters during the heating season.
Upgrading your heat pump with Booneville Heating & Cooling may be more affordable than you realize. Between rebates, special offers and financing for qualified customers, buying new HVAC systems may be more affordable 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 more comfortable home temperatures with lower energy costs in the future, it might be a good idea to see our new heat pump units.
At Booneville Heating & Cooling we make updating a convenient process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just call us at 662-269-8716 to request yours now. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Booneville your friends and neighbors have trusted since year.