With wintertime approaching, you might be thinking about how well your old air source heat pump is going to operate this year. You might also be curious 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 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 residence cooler or warmer. They don’t create heat or air conditioning like a natural gas furnace or a regular central air conditioner. A heat pump has indoor and outdoor units that work together to supply your 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 impact your heating and cooling bill.
  • How ENERGY STAR® models can help you spend less 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 measures how efficient air source heat pumps are at utilizing 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 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 calculates 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 utilizing electricity for warm air. This is especially important for saving money in colder climates, because 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 deemed to be energy efficient and can help keep heating costs down during cold conditions.

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 lower 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 equipment, the most significant thing is to pick 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 use less energy than one that’s 10 or 15 years old. Here’s why.

  • From 1999 to 2005, federal guidelines mandated 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 big 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 maintenance. When yours starts to get close to this age, you’ll want to think about replacing it.

In previous years, heat pumps were restricted to places that didn’t have cold climates, because of the way heat pumps work to extract heat from the air. Modern heat pump systems are also made to endure 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.

Replacing your heat pump with Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co. may be more reasonably priced 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 comfier home temperatures with cheaper energy costs down the road, it might be a good idea to see our new heat pump units.

At Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co. we make updating a convenient process by giving free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just give us a call at 863-216-2923 to request yours now. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Haines City your friends and neighbors have trusted since year.