How to Determine Heat Pump Efficiency

January 31, 2022

If you are in the market for a new heat pump, efficiency is probably a key factor in your search. The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has a universal ranking system for heating and cooling units that serves to help.

Deciphering and Decoding

You might have seen assorted abbreviations like HSPF or SEER, but what do they actually mean? Well, here is a guide to determining heat pump efficiency.

What Is HSPF?

HSPF stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. This rating represents the amount of heat units produced (BTUs––British Thermal Units) by the total amount of electricity (watt- hours) used over the course of a season. Generally speaking, the higher a heat pump’s HSPF, the more efficient it is.

The US ENERGY STAR® program has set a minimum HSPF of 8 for single-package equipment, which is a traditional heating and cooling unit. For mini split configurations, also known as ductless systems, the minimum HSPF is 8.2.

What Is SEER?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. It is essentially the equivalent of HSPF but for cooling. A system’s SEER rating is determined by the amount of cooling power (BTUs) divided by the amount of energy (watt-hours) used within one season.

A higher SEER means a more efficient heat pump. The minimum ENERGY STAR-qualifying SEER is 14 for single-package equipment and 14.5 for mini split systems.

Which Heat Pump Should I Get?

Generally speaking, if you live in a cooler climate, HSPF should have more weight in your decision than SEER, since you will likely be running the system on this setting more frequently. You should favor SEER for the same reason in hotter climates.

However, it is important to note both of these rating systems refer to a heat pump operating under optimal conditions. If a heat pump is not the right size for your Cornelius home, you can run into all sorts of problems.

An oversized unit may short cycle, potentially increasing your energy bill a very significant amount. An undersized unit will run for too long, which means its components may be overworked, and it may use more electricity than expected.

The best way to get the most efficient heat pump is to schedule an in-home consultation with one of our Griffin Heating & Air Conditioning professionals. We will perform the necessary heat- load calculations to determine which heat pumps will perform ideally in your North Carolina space. Out of these options, you can choose the best one to meet your efficiency standards.