With cold temperatures approaching, you might be wondering how well your old air source heat pump is going to operate this year. You might also be curious 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 spend less on energy costs 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 supply your heating and cooling.

We’re going to go over this topic now, as well as:

  • How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF impact your energy bill.
  • How ENERGY STAR® certification 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 calculates how efficient air source heat pumps are at using 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 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 calculates 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, since 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 considered to be energy efficient and can help keep heating costs lower 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 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 climate change.

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 pick one that has an energy-efficiency rating that fits your budget.

If your budget only fits 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 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 should 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 essential to know that the majority of heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with appropriate service. When yours begins to approach this age, you’ll want to think about getting a new one.

In the past, 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 tolerate 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.

Upgrading your heat pump with Fire & Ice HVAC may be more affordable than you realize. 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 replace aging air source systems. But if you want comfier home temperatures with lower energy bills in the future, it might be worthwhile to see our new heat pump units.

At Fire & Ice HVAC we make upgrading an easy process by giving free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just call us at 703-595-4157 to book yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Manassas your friends and neighbors have trusted since year.