If you’re considering having your HVAC contractor install a heat pump, there are a few important numbers you should ask about that will help you choose the right model for your home. The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating tells you how much cooling power you can get from the unit based on the amount of energy used during the summer. The winter version of this, which describes the heat pump’s heating power, is the HSPF.

HSPF Definition

HSPF stands for heating season performance factor. It’s determined by taking the total number of British thermal units (BTUs) a heating unit produces over the whole winter and dividing by the number of watt-hours of energy put in. In other words, it measures the average amount of heat the pump produces per each unit of energy used. Higher numbers mean a more energy-efficient, effective heater.

In 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy set a minimum rating of 8.2 for residential heat pumps sold by HVAC contractors. The minimum will rise to 8.8 in 2023 so that units will be manufactured as even more energy-efficient.

Advantages of a High HSPF

The higher your HSPF, the less energy your heat pump uses to generate the same amount of heat. This keeps your power bill down, helping you save money. It also makes heat pumps more practical to use across a wider geographical area than ever before. Heat pumps heat less effectively the colder it is outside, and in the past, most people who used heat pumps needed a backup furnace or other heating installation to stay warm when the temperature dropped below freezing.

As heat pumps get more efficient at cold temperatures, it’s more realistic to rely on them alone, even in colder areas. The difference is significant enough that if you have an older heat pump with a lower rating, you may save money by upgrading to a newer, more efficient one.

For a skilled HVAC contractor to install a heat pump with a high HSPF rating, choose Inner City Trades Inc in Somerset, KY. Serving Pulaski County since 1999, these licensed and insured HVAC contractors and plumbers have 50 years of industry experience. To schedule prompt, affordable service, call (606) 678-9663 or visit their website.