Heat Pump Ratings | Understanding What the Numbers Mean!

Heat pump ratings such as SEER and HSPF are a way to standardize the efficiency of heat pump models. They give consumers a quick and easy way to compare the efficiency of models they are considering. Here’s an overview of the most common heat pump efficiency ratings and what they mean.

SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating: This rating measure efficiency of the heat pump during cooling cycles. The number of BTUs of heat removed during an entire cooling season is divided by the amount of energy in kilowatt hours it took to remove it.

EER or Energy Efficiency Rating: This is a single measurement for cooling. It determines the energy efficiency of a model that is cooling a 95 degree F space, dividing the number of BTUs that can be removed in one hour by the number of kilowatts required. You’ll see EER ratings on window unit heat pumps.

HSPF or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor: This is the heating equivalent of SEER. It determines how many BTUs of heat the unit can produce in a season divided by the number of kilowatt hours required.

COP or Co-Efficient of Performance: This measurement is used mostly with geothermal heat pumps. It measures how effectively the use of refrigerant multiplies the heating potential of a heat source. For example, with an electric space heater, the COP is 1 because one unit of electricity produces one unit of heat. However, heat pumps don’t “make” heat. They circulate refrigerant that captures and releases heat. Therefore, heat pumps have a COP typically between 3.5 and 5.5. One unit of electricity running a heat pump can lead to the production of more than units of heat.