Heat pump ratings are helpful metrics for comparing the relative energy efficiency of different makes and models. By evaluating energy consumption, you can also get a general idea of estimated operating costs.
Heat pumps handle both cooling and heating functions in a home, typically eliminating a standard furnace except for occasional backup use. In cooling mode, a heat pump functions like any standard A/C, absorbing indoor heat and dispersing it outdoors. In heating mode, a heat pump is basically an air conditioner running in reverse: latent heat in outdoor air is extracted, then moved indoors to warm the house. In both modes, no fuel combustion is involved. Energy consumption of a heat pump is limited to the electricity required to run the unit’s compressor and blower fan.
Heat pump ratings are broken down by cooling and heating function. The two primary heat pump ratings can be found on the bright yellow EnergyGuide sticker attached to all new units. This information is also included in the published manufacturer’s specifications for a unit.
SEER
Short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, the SEER rating is the standard metric to express the energy efficiency of a heat pump in cooling mode. The SEER rating depicts the ratio between the BTUs of heat removed from a space versus the electricity consumed over a typical cooling season. The higher the SEER number, the more energy efficient the heat pump is in cooling mode. The current federal minimum SEER for a heat pump is 14 but the most efficient models deliver SEER performance above 20.
HSPF
The Heating System Performance Factor (HSPF) rates heat pump efficiency in heating mode. HSPF calculates the output of BTUs of heat divided by the watt-hours of electrical energy the unit consumes. Higher HSPF is better and represents a more efficient unit that will cost less to operate in winter. Today, the required minimum HSPF is 8.2. High-efficiency heat pumps may deliver HSPF as high as 13.
Contact Ace Hardware Home Services for more information about utilizing heat pump ratings to select the most efficient unit for your home.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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