Are New Heat Pumps More Energy Efficient?
With cold weather approaching, you might be thinking about how well your old 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 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 create heat or air conditioning like a natural gas furnace or a regular 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, plus:
- How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF impact your heating and cooling bill.
- How ENERGY STAR® certification can help you save 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 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 calculates how well air source heat pumps will operate during the heating season. The greater the number, the better your heating system will be at consuming electricity for warm air. This is especially important for saving money in colder climates, because 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 considered to be energy efficient and can help keep heating costs lower during cold conditions.
What Does ENERGY STAR Mean On A Heat Pump?
ENERGY STAR air source heat pumps meet rigorous requirements established 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 greater
- The SEER rating of 15 or greater
- This can lower your heat pump’s operating costs, as well as lower greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change.
How To Choose An Energy-Efficient Heat Pump
When selecting your heat pump’s efficiency rating, just like any other household appliance, the most significant thing is to select 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 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 increased to 13 from 2006 to 2014.
- Today, a new heat pump should be at least 14 SEER.
- So, switching from 10 SEER to 14 SEER will make a big difference on your energy bill.
It’s also essential to know that the majority of heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with proper maintenance. When yours begins to approach this age, you’ll want to think about getting a new one.
In previous years, heat pumps were limited 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 tolerate 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 Tokay 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 budget-friendly 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 more comfortable home temperatures with smaller energy costs in the future, it might be beneficial to check out new heat pump units.
At Tokay, we make upgrading a convenient process by giving free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just give us a call at (209) 257-3156 to request yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Lodi that your friends and neighbors have trusted for years.
