With wintertime approaching, you might be thinking about how well your outdated air source heat pump is going to operate this year.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 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 residence cooler or warmer. They don’t create 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 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 affect your energy 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 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 calculates how well air source heat pumps will perform during the heating season. The better the number, the better your heating system will be at utilizing electricity for warm air. This is particularly important for saving money in colder climates, since 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 deemed 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 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 work well.

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

  • HSPF rating of 8.5 or greater
  • SEER rating of 15 or greater
  • This can lower your heat pump’s operating costs, plus reduce greenhouse gas emissions that play a role in 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 pick one that has an energy-efficiency rating that you can afford.

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 consume less energy than one that’s 10 or 15 years old. Here’s why.

  • From 1999 to 2005, federal regulations 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, 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 proper service. When yours starts to get close to this age, you’ll want to think about replacing it.

In the past, heat pumps were limited to areas that didn’t have cold climates, due to of the way heat pumps work to extract heat from the air. Today’s heat pump systems are also created to tolerate 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 Verona HVAC may be more reasonably priced 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 realize.

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 cheaper energy bills down the road, it might be a good idea to see our new heat pump units.

At Verona HVAC we make updating an easy process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just call us at 818-306-3387 to book yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Santa Clarita your friends and neighbors have trusted since year.