Heat Pumps rating: how to choose energy efficient products

Choosing a heat pump

Choose a certified heat pump. That will ensure high levels of performance and a more reliable and eco-friendly product.

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. But there are many models, some of which outdated or with poor performance.

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 efficient of heat pumps is also measured by its COP (Coefficient Of Performance).

The COP is the relation between heat pump's capacity to produce heat and the energy required to extract it. If for instance a certain heat pump has a COP 4 it means that it can produce four times more heat energy than the electrical consumed energy. In other words, the higher the COP the better: a unit of 1 kilowatt electricity results in 4 kilowatts of heat energy.

Energy efficient Pumps and price

A cheap heat pump system is rarely the best option. The best heat pumps can be more expensive to purchase, 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...

Important questions you should equate beside rating

Rating is important, but it should me measured over the course of 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 Products 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 a standard heat pump. 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

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.

See, for more information:
Heat Pump State Incentives