With winter approaching, you might be wondering how well your outdated air source heat pump is going to run this year.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 save big on energy costs 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 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 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 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 utilizing electricity for air conditioning. The greater 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 measures how well air source heat pumps will work during the heating season. The better the number, the better your heating system will be at utilizing electricity for warm air. This is especially important for saving money in colder climates, considering 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 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 rigorous 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 run well.

Air source heat pumps achieve ENERGY STAR if they have:

  • HSPF rating of 8.5 or greater
  • SEER rating of 15 or greater
  • This can reduce your heat pump’s operating costs, as well as lower greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Heat Pump

When choosing your heat pump’s efficiency rating, just like any other household appliance, 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 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 guidelines 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, changing 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 getting a new one.

In previous years, heat pumps were limited to areas 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.

Replacing your heat pump with Halverson Brothers Inc may be more affordable than you think it is. Between rebates, special offers and financing for qualified customers, buying new HVAC systems may be more affordable than you realize.

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 bills down the road, it might be worthwhile to check out new heat pump units.

At Halverson Brothers Inc we make upgrading an easy process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just give us a call at 715-578-8046 to request yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Menomonie and western Wisconsin your friends and neighbors have trusted since year.