With wintertime approaching, you might be thinking about how well your outdated air source heat pump is going to work this year. You might also be questioning 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 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 home 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 interact to supply your heating and cooling.

We’re going to go over this topic today, plus:

  • How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF affect your heating and cooling bill.
  • How ENERGY STAR® certification 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 calculates 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 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 work during the heating season. The greater 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, 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 conditions.

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 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 higher
  • This can reduce your heat pump’s operating costs, plus decrease 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 appliance, the most important thing is to pick one that has an energy-efficiency rating that you can afford.

If your budget only allows for 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 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 big difference on your heating and cooling bill.

It’s also essential to note that most heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with proper maintenance. When yours begins to approach this age, you’ll want to think about replacing it.

In previous years, heat pumps were restricted to locations 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 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 Retro HVAC Service & Installation 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 replace aging air source systems. But if you want comfier home temperatures with cheaper energy bills down the road, it might be worth your while to see our new heat pump units.

At Retro HVAC Service & Installation we make updating an easy process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just call us at 267-277-3851 to book yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Philadelphia your friends and neighbors have trusted since year.