How to Determine Heat Pump Efficiency

If you’re in the market for a new heat pump, efficiency is probably a factor in your search. Luckily, the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has a universal ranking system for heating-and-cooling units. You might have seen mystical abbreviations like HSPF or SEER, but what do they actually mean? Well, here’s a guide to determining heat pump efficiency.

What Is HSPF?

HSPF stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. This rating represents the amount of heat units produced (BTUs––British Thermal Units) by the total amount of electricity (watt-hours) used over the course of a season. Generally speaking, the higher a heat pump’s HSPF, the more efficient it is. The U.S. Energy Star® program has set a minimum HSPF of 8.2 for split systems (ductless units) and 8 for single-package equipment (regular heating-and-cooling unit).

What Is SEER?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. It is essentially the equivalent of HSPF but for cooling. A unit’s SEER rating is determined by the amount of cooling power (BTUs) divided by the amount of energy (watt-hours) used within one season. A higher SEER means a more efficient heat pump. The minimum Energy Star-qualifying SEER is 14.5 for split systems and 14 for single-package equipment.

Which Heat Pump Should I Get?

Generally speaking, if you live in a cooler climate, HSPF should have more weight in your decision than SEER, since you’ll be running it on that setting more frequently. You should favor SEER for the same reason in hotter climates.

However, it’s important to note that both of these rating systems refer to a heat pump operating under optimal conditions. If a heat pump isn’t the right size for your home, you can have all sorts of problems. An oversized unit will short cycle, massively increasing your energy bill. An undersized unit will run for too long, which means its components will be overworked, and it will use too much electricity.

The best way to get the most efficient heat pump is to schedule an in-home consultation with one of our Comfort Design technicians. We’ll perform the necessary heat-load calculations to determine which heat pumps will perform ideally in your space. Out of those options, you can choose the option to best meet your efficiency standards.

We at Comfort Design are pleased to install heat pumps in Owensboro, KY, and surrounding regions. Call us today at 270-255-9974 for any questions about HSPF, SEER, or to schedule service.