An air-source heat pump provides highly efficient home cooling and heating. Correctly installed, it can deliver as much as three times more energy than it consumes. The heat pump does this by absorbing warmth from the outdoor air and releasing it in your home when it’s cold outside. The heat pump works in reverse when your home needs cooling.
When you’re choosing a heat pump, you’ll need to consider several factors, including efficiency ratings. Heat pumps have two: the heating season performance factor and the seasonal efficiency efficiency ratio.
- HSPF concerns to the energy needed when you’re using your heat pump in the winter. Look for a unit with an HSPF of 8 to 10.
- SEER is a measure of a heat pump’s cooling efficiency. Heat pump efficiency rises with the SEER rating. The most efficient units have a SEER rating of 14 to 18.
Checking out and comparing these two ratings are an essential part of choosing a heat pump. But you may want your heat pump to have additional features. Among them:
- Thermostatic expansion valves, which ensure the correct flow of refrigerant to the indoor coil.
- Grooved copper tubing for maximum surface area.
- A two-speed compressor, which delivers only what you need. On low speed, the unit’s energy requirement is reduced. This, in turn, boosts your unit’s energy efficiency.
- A dual-speed motor, which moves the air at just the right speed to ensure comfort and energy savings.
- A reverse-cycle chiller, which greatly expands your cooling and heating options.
Although heat-pump technology has advanced considerably over the years, and models for climates that get very cold are available today, most stand-alone heat pumps are best suited to climates where temperatures don’t dip below 40 degrees. Heat pump efficiency falls dramatically at that point. In the Cheyenne area, you will probably need a backup furnace for very cold winter days. This heat pump-furnace combination is called a dual-fuel system.
An HVAC contractor can help you choose the best fit for your home. For more on heat pumps, get in touch with the Rheem Pro Partner. We’re celebrating 20 years of top-notch service in our region. Give us a call.
