The energy efficiency ratings that a heat pump has describe how well it uses electricity to move heat from one place to another. These remarkable HVAC appliances are one of the best kinds to use in this climate, where winters are relatively mild and summers hot. They differ from other heating and cooling systems in that they provide both heat and cooling simply by reversing the flow of refrigerant.

The efficiency ratings that apply to heat pump include:

• Cooling efficiency. The SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) describes how much electricity the system uses over the course of a cooling season. Engineers keep the air in the testing lab at 82 degrees F and measure how much electricity the pump uses to keep an indoor space at 80 degrees.

  The minimum SEER stands at 14. Although the U.S. Department of Energy doesn’t require its disclosure for central heat pumps, the EER (energy efficiency ratio) is also calculated for heat pumps. Instead of maintaining the outdoor temperature at 82 degrees, the lab turns it up to 95 degrees for a shorter period.

  Heat pumps that have a high EER perform better in hotter temperatures. Since summer weather in the Peachtree City area often reach 90 degrees, choosing a system with a high EER will cut energy costs.

• Heating efficiency. The HSPF (heating season performance factor) indicates the heating efficiency of a heat pump. The minimum starts at 8.2. Another important rating to look for is its COP (coefficient of performance). This term describes how much electricity it takes to create one unit of heat.

  An electric space heater creates one unit of heat for each unit of electricity it uses. Heat pumps, at a minimum, create at least three units of heat for each watt of power they use, for a COP of 3. More efficient units have higher COP ratings.

Knowing the efficiency ratings for a heat pump provides essential information about its electrical consumption, which is directly tied to your energy costs. To learn more, contact Powers Heating & Air. We provide outstanding HVAC services for Peachtree City homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.

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