With winter approaching, you might be thinking about how well your outdated air source heat pump is going to operate this year. You might also be curious 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 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 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 affect your heating and cooling bill.
  • How ENERGY STAR® certification can help you save 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 greater 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 work during the heating season. The better the number, the better your heating system will be at consuming electricity for warm air. This is particularly 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 considered 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 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 run well.

Air source heat pumps qualify for ENERGY STAR if they have:

  • HSPF rating of 8.5 or greater
  • SEER rating of 15 or higher
  • This can reduce your heat pump’s operating costs, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions that play a role in global climate change.

How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Heat Pump

When choosing your heat pump’s efficiency rating, just like any other household equipment, the most significant thing is to select 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 one 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 regulations mandated 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, changing from 10 SEER to 14 SEER will make a major difference on your heating and cooling bill.

It’s also essential to know that most heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with appropriate service. When yours begins to get close to this age, you’ll want to think about replacing it.

In previous years, heat pumps were restricted 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 reliance on a supplemental heat source, electric resistance heating or baseboard heaters during the heating season.

Upgrading your heat pump with Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning may be more affordable than you think it is. Between rebates, special offers and financing for qualified customers, getting new HVAC systems may be more affordable than you think it is.

It’s not easy to find the time and money to switch aging air source systems. But if you want comfier home temperatures with smaller energy bills down the road, it might be beneficial to check out new heat pump units.

At Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning we make upgrading an easy process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just contact us at 402-581-9641 to book yours now. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Omaha your friends and neighbors have trusted since year.