If you’re buying a heat pump in the near future, you’ll be acquiring an efficient cooling and heating machine that works as well as a high-efficiency air conditioner for cooling and as much as three times more efficiently than a top-of-the-line furnace for heating. Keep the following factors in mind when buying a heat pump for your Yuma area home:
Efficiency rating
All units carry efficiency ratings. There are two ratings given to heat pumps. The seasonal energy efficiency rating, SEER, rates cooling efficiency, while the heating seasonal performance factor, HSPF, rates heating efficiency. Higher ratings translate to a higher efficiency unit. Though you’ll pay more for better efficiency, you’ll also reap more savings on your energy bills. In our hot-weather climate, the SEER is much more important than the HSPF. The federal minimum SEER is 13 and high-efficiency models start at 16. Modern heat pumps can sport SEER numbers as high as the mid-twenties.
Sizing your heat pump
In terms of efficiency, size is a significant factor when buying a heat pump. Your trusted HVAC contractor should assess your home’s cooling load in recommending the proper size unit. A heat pump that’s too large will cycle on and off too often, using too much energy and not providing even cooling and heating. It will not provide optimum air filtration or humidity control. One that’s too small will struggle to satisfy your home’s temperature needs.
Installation factors
Heat pump installation is vitally important to maximizing your energy savings from these systems. Carefully choose a contractor who knows exactly what they’re doing. They should have good references, and be specifically trained to install heat pumps. Your contractor should also offer name brand units, and have access to a solid supply of maintenance and replacement parts.
When you’re buying a heat pump, if you still have questions or doubts, please contact the professionals at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company. We’ll be happy to assist you with any and all heat pump concerns you may have.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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