With cold temperatures approaching, you might be wondering how well your outdated air source heat pump is going to work this year. You might also be wondering if now is a smart 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 residence cooler or warmer. They don’t generate 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 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® models 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 measures how efficient air source heat pumps are at using electricity for air conditioning. 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 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 operate during the heating season. The better the number, the more efficient your heating system will be at consuming electricity for warm air. This is especially important for saving money in colder climates, considering 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 run 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, plus reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

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 you can afford.

If your budget only fits a heat pump with lower ratings, don’t fret! Even a new one 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 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 major difference on your heating and cooling bill.

It’s also important to note that the majority of heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with appropriate service. When yours starts to get close to this age, you’ll want to think about replacing it.

In previous years, 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 made 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 Central Air LLC may be more reasonably priced than you think it is. 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 cheaper energy costs in the future, it might be worth your while to check out new heat pump units.

At Central Air LLC we make updating a convenient process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just give us a call at 203-357-5913 to book yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Brookfield your friends and neighbors have trusted since {year}.