Views: 107 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-09-25 Origin: Site
Seeing as modern equipment is all about the green initiatives, heat pumps are all too common in the HVAC sector. However, despite the common knowledge on the basic considerations you should make while purchasing one for your residence, you might be in the wild when it comes to the efficiency rating specs. According to energy regulating bodies, heat pump manufacturers should adhere to various standards like the HSPF and SEER energy efficiency ratings. Let's dive in!
HSPF Energy Efficiency Rating: What Is It?
This is the energy efficiency rating you should focus on if you live in a cold climate area. The HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) determines the amount of heat your home gets in relation to the energy your heat pump runs on. Manufacturers use various calculation methods and testing to ensure their heat pumps meet the minimum required HSPF. HSPF ratings range from 8.2 - 13.
One of the best perks of a higher HSPF unit is that it offers optimum humidity and temperature control and uses less electricity. In fact, the COP of a high efficiency heat pump is as high as 300% which is significantly greater than that of other HVACs.
A higher HSPF unit is a great way to cut on energy bills. However, electricity bills vary depending on the rate of charges and climate of where you live. Despite the higher up-front cost, you will rip more from the efficiency of your unit over time.
Another benefit of choosing a higher HSPF unit (from 9.2) is that you can apply for an ENERGY STAR cert, which allows you to get government credit, as long as your heat pump is in your main home. This helps you save on the incurred purchase cost.
A higher HSPF is better for mother nature as it runs on lesser electricity which means reduced emissions compared to a lower energy efficiency unit or other older heating systems.
You can take advantage of various aspects of your home like its insulation, and size to maximize on the heating energy efficiency. Ensuring your home's insulation is efficient will help increase the HSPF. Also, ensure you have a good HSPF rating suitable for your home’s climate as there are different energy efficiency requirements for various climatic regions.
SEER Energy Efficiency Rating: What Is It?
A heat pump uses a certain amount of electricity to provide your home with cool air during hot summers, which is commonly referred to as the SEER. The ideal SEER rating is based on the cooling requirements of the residence. A higher SEER unit will provide your home quality cool air, while using less electricity. SEER ratings range from 13-25.
Your heat pump unit will use less energy to cool your home unlike while using low SEER heat pumps. Interestingly, the upgrade from a low-high SEER unit could potentially cut your bills by 50%.
Did you know you can benefit from incentives if your heat pump has an SEER of 16 or higher? This is how you get an ENERGY STAR cert, which makes you eligible for credit. However, there is a catch; your unit should be in your main home. Qualifying for a rebate means you can recover a significant part of the unit’s upfront cost.
A higher SEER unit is more energy efficient and reduces the number of harmful gases released to the environment. It also uses more clean energy compared to traditional HVACs, which is one of the main reasons you should consider upgrading your heat pump system.
The summer heat can be a pain and ruin all the fun of the season. Ensure you are ready for the hotter climate by investing in a high SEER unit to provide just the right amount of cool you desire. High efficiency units ensure there is no formation of mold as it runs at low pressure, getting rid of the necessary moisture.
The energy your unit requires to cool your home depends on its size and climate. You can use existing features of your home like the door and window glazing to retain warm air indoors, increasing the energy efficiency of your unit. Also, a properly insulated home exterior is a great way to ensure energy efficiency. Other features are the ductwork's quality, size, and setup to ensure your unit does the job as expected.
These two are the most common ratings and work hand in hand, but the key difference lies in the heating and cooling aspects. The HSPF will help you determine the amount of electricity a unit uses to cool your home. On the other hand, the SEER rating will help you determine its energy efficiency during the cooling function.
Depending on your budget, you can consider an 8.2 HSPF and 14 SEER as a starting point. The higher you go from these minimum required ratings will depend on the heating or cooling demands of your home.
Aside from the standard HSPF or SEER requirements of your heat pump, there are other aspects to the overall function. Before all else, you ought to choose the right model for your home requirements and most importantly, from a reliable retail/wholesale heat pump supplier. SPRSUN is on the fast track to provide our customers with heat pumps that offer maximum efficiency ratings through upgrades like:
● Two-speed compressors -These components ensure our heat pumps are suitable for all climates; they are slow paced in moderate climates and run on high speed when it's hot.
● Improved Refrigerants - Our heat pumps use refrigerants with a reduced boiling point like R-410A. This refrigerant is more environmentally friendly and ensures a constant temperature control process during all weather.
● Thermostatic Expansion valve (TEV) - This device regulates the level of refrigerant that flows into your home.
● Scroll pump- Our scroll compressors are advanced offering you maximized HSPF unlike in the case of heat pumps that use traditional compressors. This way, your heat pump’s refrigerator temperature is increased by 15 degrees.
● Variable-speed Integration- This heat pump property guarantees that your heat pump will run efficiently thanks to the increased efficiency rating and slow paced, quiet function.
● Air Filtration Systems - high efficiency heat pumps have advanced filters which prevent clogging up that can cause long running processes which in turn increase your heat pump's energy consumption. They also help get rid of unwanted dust and dirt particles.
With the right information, identifying a reliable heat pump manufacturer can be quick and easy; however, you might find the good efficiency rating selection process frustrating.
One simple approach to ensure you have an easy time and choose just the right heat pump is by contacting us, so we can slot in one of our experts to offer you in-home advice after doing the necessary calculations. Other factors are the climate where you live. For areas that experience prolonged cold seasons, you should purchase a heat pump with a higher HSPF, and that with a higher SEER for those with a hotter climate.
Also, you don't want to dig down your pockets only to suffer the consequences of spiked up bills due to an over-sized heat pump, or the inefficiency of a unit that is too small; the size of your home is crucial. A higher SEER unit will require more maintenance to avoid blocked filters which in turn leads to higher electricity bills.
The energy efficiency rating of your heat pump over prolonged use can be affected by the following factors:
● Ductwork leakages
● Heat Pump Size
● Window and door glazing
● External home insulation
● Your home’s heating needs
If you want to take the comfort of your home a notch higher and cut on energy bills, you can factor in upgrading to an ENERGY STAR heat pump, which basically functions like the standard models but in a more energy efficient way. In fact, their efficiency outdoes the rating requirements of the regular heat pumps available in the current market. Importantly, they have significantly higher HSPF and SEER ratings. Heat pumps with new energy efficiency ratings are rapidly being thrown into the market which in turn has led to more stringent ENERGY STAR regulations.
Due to the emerging trends in the current heat pump market like new models and ratings, the energy efficiency rating standards are dynamic; ensure you are at par with the most recent minimum rating requirements. Additionally, heat pumps can be relatively expensive, depending on the efficiency rating.
Ensure you do the homework in terms of identifying your home’s heating and cooling needs, seeking information on different energy efficiency ratings and proper budgeting. Of course, you will need a trusted partner to walk you through the whole process. SPRSUN offers a wide variety of energy efficiency ratings for high quality heat pumps. Contact us through call or email for the best deals!
