With cold temperatures approaching, you might be thinking about how well your existing air source heat pump is going to operate 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 spend less 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 create heat or air conditioning like a natural gas furnace or a standard 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 discuss this topic today, as well as:

  • How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF affect your energy 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 evaluates how efficient air source heat pumps are at utilizing electricity for cooling. 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 another heat pump rating system that measures how well air source heat pumps will perform during the heating season. The higher 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, because 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 temperatures.

What Does ENERGY STAR Mean on a Heat Pump?

ENERGY STAR air source heat pumps satisfy 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 operate 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, plus 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 significant thing is to choose one that has an energy-efficiency rating that fits your budget.

If your budget only allows for a heat pump with lesser 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 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 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 important to note that the majority of heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with proper maintenance. When yours begins to get close to this age, you’ll want to think about getting a new one.

In the past, heat pumps were restricted 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.

Upgrading your heat pump with AZ Air Conditioning and Heating may be more affordable than you realize. Between rebates, special offers and financing for qualified customers, buying new HVAC systems may be more budget friendly than you realize.

It’s not easy to find the time and money to replace aging air source systems. But if you want more comfortable home temperatures with smaller energy costs down the road, it might be a good idea to check out new heat pump units.

At AZ Air Conditioning and Heating we make updating a convenient process by giving free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just call us at 800-296-5088 to request yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Los Angeles your friends and neighbors have trusted since year.