With winter approaching, you might be thinking about how well your existing air source heat pump is going to work this year. You might also be questioning 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 bills over its lifetime.

They’re a combined heating system and cooling system. These heat pumps transfer heat from the outdoor air to make your house cooler or warmer. They don’t generate 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 discuss this topic now, as well as:

  • How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF impact your energy bill.
  • How ENERGY STAR® models 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 evaluates how efficient air source heat pumps are at utilizing electricity for air conditioning. 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 regarded as having good energy efficiency.

What Is HSPF in Heat Pumps?

HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) is another heat pump rating system that calculates how well air source heat pumps will work during the heating season. The greater the number, the more efficient your heating system will be at consuming electricity for warm air. This is very 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 down during cold conditions.

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 higher
  • This can reduce your heat pump’s operating costs, plus decrease greenhouse gas emissions that play a role in global warming.

How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Heat Pump

When choosing your heat pump’s efficiency rating, just like any other household equipment, the most important thing is to pick one that has an energy-efficiency rating that fits your budget.

If your budget only allows for a heat pump with lower ratings, don’t worry! 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 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 big difference on your energy bill.

It’s also essential to know that most heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with proper maintenance. When yours starts to approach this age, you’ll want to think about replacing it.

In previous years, heat pumps were limited to areas that didn’t have cold climates, because of the way heat pumps work to extract heat from the air. Modern heat pump systems are also created to endure colder outdoor air and a cold climate during the winter. This decreases your reliance on a supplemental heat source, electric resistance heating or baseboard heaters during the heating season.

Upgrading your heat pump with Haselhoff Air Solutions 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 replace aging air source systems. But if you want comfier home temperatures with lower energy bills down the road, it might be worthwhile to check out new heat pump units.

At Haselhoff Air Solutions we make updating a convenient process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just call us at 515-450-8739 to request yours now. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Ames your friends and neighbors have trusted since year.