There are many ways to heat your home. Besides all of the traditional methods are some new innovations and other sources of heat to consider.
The market for heat pumps grows more and more every year as people become increasingly interested in saving money and look for ways to become budget savvy in home ownership. Heat pump use minimal energy to move warm air around. Typically a heat pump brings air out of the ground to heat, and actually cool a space as well. Some of the sources that can be used also define the type of pump it is. The three different models of pumps include air-source, ground-source, and water-source. The majority of heat pumps used in typical households in the past were the air-source type. However, there is now a growing trend, however, that points to water source pumps becoming more popular. They work very much like an air conditioner. With the right pump the system can warm a pretty good sized space by using air movement. Parts include a fan, a compressor, and a heat exchanger.
There are some important things to look for when shopping for a heat pump. Consider how efficient the unit is the cost, the quality of workmanship, the refrigeration system, how well it will fit into the space that is available and how well the pump will perform in the environment it is going to be used in. Excessive heat or cold will affect the way the pump works. When you decide on a unit professional installation will ensure it operates at optimal performance.
Why a Heat Pump?
High energy bills have residents looking for the most economical way to heat a home. HVAC systems are also good for the environment. Using the method to heat a home where the winter temps stay consistently above zero can mean 15 to 30 percent less energy than a gas furnace. Extreme cold temperatures will affect the efficiency of warming a home with a heat pump because there will be a limit to the warm air from outside that needs to be accessed but that doesn’t mean you need to rule them out altogether. In the more mild seasons they will work fine and a dual system of a gas furnace or other heating system can be used for the most brutal days. For the most part, these units will do the job just fine.
Shopping for a Heat Pump
Below are some top picks for variable-capacity heat pumps. Variable-capacity means the pump kicks in when the power is needed and runs at a lesser level to maintain the heat that is required. A single-stage pump runs full capacity the entire time it’s on. This can mean the temperature peaks and dips where with a variable-capacity unit the temperature is maintained easily and the pump runs higher or lower to keep the temperature even. There are different sizes to choose from. You can either choose for a central heat pump or a window heat pump model. A central pump can heat an entire home where a window model uses less energy and is only good for heating one room. Some models are also ductless or ‘mini split heat pumps’. These models use a single outdoor unit. It pulls heat from the source and sends it to multiple indoor units. A ductless unit is more energy efficient than the conventional heat pumps.
Cost
A window pump can be purchased for between $500 – $700. The larger, central heat pumps will cost in the $2000 range. As with most things, brand will dictate price. A good name brand heat pumps made by a popular manufacturer like American Standard can cost around $3,000. The higher the SEER and SHPF mean the unit will be more efficient.
Popular Names in Heat Pump Manufacturing
Trane is a company known for making systems with longevity in mind. The heat pumps Trane manufactures systems that are built to last a long time. Trane systems are divided into four different lines: Standard efficiency, High efficiency, Super efficiency, and Ultra efficiency. The SEER / cooling efficiency rating are impressive, starting from 10 up to 17.65. The HSPF / heating efficiency is ratings run from 6.8 to 9.85. Many of these systems have Energy Star ratings as well which make them very desirable.
Goodman is the second largest HVAC systems manufacturer in the US. Their heat pumps are not only well-made but some of the most affordable. Systems start at $1,400 and go up to $3,600 which includes extra parts and labor. The SEER rating on Goodman heat pumps starts at 13 and goes all the way up to 18. HSPFs start at 8 – which meets Energy Star minimum requirements. Quietness is also a factor with these systems that owners appreciate.
Lennox pumps are situated into three series: the Signature Collection, Elite series, and Merit series. The highest, the Signature Collection have been awarded as Energy Star Most Efficient Heat Pump.
Carrier pumps are also split into three series: The INFINITY is the most advanced, units and PERFORMANCE and the COMFORT. The SEER ratings on Carrier’s INFINITY heat pumps is 20.5. The HSPF has a rating of 13.
Below are some other popular models:
The Maytag iQ Drive PSH4BI Heat Pump is another popular pump. The SEER rating is 22 and the HSPF is 10.0. This pump is stylish in appearance and it runs efficiently. An impressive warranty makes this a good option for heating a home. Also popular is the American Standard AccuComfort Platinum 20 heat pump. The SEER rating on this heat pump is 10.0 and the HSPF is 10. If your home is humid this unit would be a solid choice. The humidity control know-how allows this unit to also remove humidity from the air when it’s needed as an extra bonus.
With all of the factors to consider before purchasing a new heat pump, the hardest part about owning one will be choosing which one to buy. Then comes the easy part, which is just sitting back and enjoying the ease of owning one.