Efficiency Ratings for Residential Air Conditioning & Heat Pump Systems
Efficiency Ratings for Residential AC & Heat Pump Systems
Heat pumps are assigned two efficiency ratings, a SEER rating based on a unit’s cooling efficiency and a HSPF rating based on a unit’s heating efficiency. If you are about saving money on your electric bills and protecting the environment, ask your Fox Service Company Comfort Specialist, about heat pumps which have been awarded the EPA’s coveted Energy Star label.
Cooling Efficiency
The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating us used to identify the cooling efficiency of both traditional air conditioners and heat pumps. The SEER rating indicates how efficiently the unit utilizes electricity: the higher the rating, the less electricity the unit requires to cool a given area. Heat pumps manufactured today have a SEER rating from 10.0 to about 17.0.
Heating Efficiency
The HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) rating is used to identify the heating efficiency of heat pumps: the higher the rating, the less electricity the heat pump uses to heat a given area. Today’s heat pumps are generally rated between 6.8 and 10.0 HSPF
Initial Cost Versus Long Term Expense
Generally speaking, heat pumps with the highest SEER and HSPF ratings are more expensive to purchase than their lower rated counterparts. However, because they utilize less electricity, they can actually save you money in the long run. If you are planning to sell your residence in the near future, you may not wish to invest in a unit with a high rating. However, if you plan to be in your home for a while, it may be more cost effective to purchase a more high efficiency unit.
Heat pumps are assigned two efficiency ratings, a SEER rating based on a unit’s cooling efficiency and a HSPF rating based on a unit’s heating efficiency. If you are about saving money on your electric bills and protecting the environment, ask your Fox Service Company Comfort Specialist, about heat pumps which have been awarded the EPA’s coveted Energy Star label.
Cooling Efficiency
The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating us used to identify the cooling efficiency of both traditional air conditioners and heat pumps. The SEER rating indicates how efficiently the unit utilizes electricity: the higher the rating, the less electricity the unit requires to cool a given area. Heat pumps manufactured today have a SEER rating from 10.0 to about 17.0.
Heating Efficiency
The HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) rating is used to identify the heating efficiency of heat pumps: the higher the rating, the less electricity the heat pump uses to heat a given area. Today’s heat pumps are generally rated between 6.8 and 10.0 HSPF
Initial Cost Versus Long Term Expense
Generally speaking, heat pumps with the highest SEER and HSPF ratings are more expensive to purchase than their lower rated counterparts. However, because they utilize less electricity, they can actually save you money in the long run. If you are planning to sell your residence in the near future, you may not wish to invest in a unit with a high rating. However, if you plan to be in your home for a while, it may be more cost effective to purchase a more high efficiency unit.