Heat Pumps efficiency and rating
Choose a certified heat pump. That will ensure high levels of efficiency and a more reliable and eco-friendly unit.
See:
Energy Star Heat Pumps
Certified Heat Pumps in Europe
Heat Pumps Manufacturers
Most of the major players in the heat pump market are well known air conditioning manufacturers: Carrier, York, Danfoss, Daikin, Sanyo. etc. This very fact is a guarantee of standards of quality, though there are also many outdated or with poor performance models and you should pay attention to that.
For a complete list of heat pumps manufacturers, see: Heat Pumps Manufacturers and Associations
Heat Pumps Efficiency Ratings
Heat pumps have two main efficiency ratings:
- one for heating: the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)
- one for cooling: the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER).
The higher the HSPF and the SEER, the greater the efficiency (and, obviously, the lower the operating costs).
Current efficiency standards require a minimum HSPF of 6.8 and a minimum SEER of 10. Advanced heat pumps have a SEER of at least 15, and an HSBF of at least 9.
Heat Pumps performance
The energy efficiency of heat pumps is also measured by its COP (Coefficient Of Performance).
The COP is the relation between the heat pump's capacity to produce heat and the energy required to extract it. If, for instance, a certain heat pump has a COP of 4 it means that it can produce four times more heat than the electrical consumed energy. In other words, the higher the COP the better.
Energy Efficient Pumps Prices
A cheap heat pump system is rarely the best option. The best heat pumps can be more expensive, but they will paid back over time through lower energy bills.
The price differences are often large, and they can reflect different performances and different types and functions of heat pumps. Do not forget to check how effective the heat pump is when it is really cold outdoors, namely in the case of air-source heat pumps. The superiority of geothermal heat pumps is often in that fact...and on the higher energy savings they provide.
Important questions
Rating is important, but it should me measured over the course of the year: winter/spring/summer/fall, day/night. There are big annual or daily differences, and you should take that into account. Namely you should check how effective the air heat pump is when it is really cold outdoors.
Remember also that when buying new heat pumps, sizing and installation are as important as quality and rating.
See, on these issue: Buying Heat Pumps.
Energy Star Heat pumps Rating
Energy Star labeled heat pumps are a guarantee of energy efficiency (set by the US EPA and DOE).
Energy Star qualified (geothermal) heat pumps use about 40-60 percent less energy than standard heat pumps. And they may be much quieter than conventional systems.
Energy Star presents over 750 models that have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 12.0 or higher (Single Package and Split System models). Most advanced heat pumps have a SEER of at least 15, and an HSBF of at least 9.
Energy Star Loans and Federal Tax Credits
In USA, Energy Star-labeled heat pumps can be financed with special Energy Star loans. Some of these loans have lower interest rates or longer repayment periods. You should ask your contractor about these Energy Star loans and financing options.
Besides, you also may benefit from substantial tax credits in USA, when buying qualified geothermal heat pumps (30% of their cost).
See, for more information:
European eco-labeling and heat pumps rating
See: UE eco-labeling & Heat Pumps.
See also the several national and supranational European organizations dealing with certification of heat pumps:
Eurovent
Promotelec
CE Mark
P-Mark (Sweden)
D-A-CH (Germany, Switzerland, Austria)
See, for more information:
UK Heat Pump Network (UK)
European Heat Pump Network
Earth Energy Society Canada