With cold temperatures approaching, you might be wondering how well your outdated air source heat pump is going to work this year.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 questioning 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 an all-in-one 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 now, plus:

  • How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF affect your heating and cooling 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 calculates how efficient air source heat pumps are at utilizing electricity for air conditioning. 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 higher the number, the more efficient your heating system will be at consuming electricity for warm air. This is very important for saving money in colder climates, considering your heat pump won’t have to operate 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 down during cold temperatures.

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 greater
  • SEER rating of 15 or greater
  • This can lower your heat pump’s operating costs, plus reduce greenhouse gas emissions that play a role in 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 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 fret! Even a new model 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 required 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, switching from 10 SEER to 14 SEER will make a major difference on your heating and cooling bill.

It’s also essential to note 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 replacing it.

In previous years, heat pumps were limited to locations that didn’t have cold climates, due to of the way heat pumps work to extract heat from the air. Modern 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.

Replacing your heat pump with Connolly Electric & Mechanical 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 realize.

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 smaller energy bills in the future, it might be a good idea to see our new heat pump units.

At Connolly Electric & Mechanical we make upgrading an easy process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just contact us at 928-862-5977 to request yours now. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Cottonwood & Verde Valley your friends and neighbors have trusted since year.