How to Pick a Great Heat Pump For Your Home
Every homeowner should know how to pick a great heat pump. There are many variables to consider and this guide will help you sort them out. Follow these tips and you’ll end up with a great heat pump – the one that is right for your home and needs.
1. Choose a heat pump in light of your housing plans. Do you plan to live in your home for the next 20 years? If so, buying the most efficient heat pump, and the one that does best in heat pump reviews, makes sense. It will cost more than a budget model, but reduced energy bills and fewer repair bills will make it a more cost-effective choice through the years.
If you plan to move in less than 5 years, you won’t get your money’s worth from a high-end heat pump. In that case, an inexpensive heat pump will be a better choice financially. If you plan to live where you are for the foreseeable future, but perhaps not forever, choose a quality heat pump that is right for your climate and budget.
2. Consider your Climate. In very warm climates you’ll want a heat pump with a high SEER rating. Choose one that is the 17+ SEER range. Currently, heat pumps are available with up to 24 SEER. In moderate climates without extreme temperatures, a less efficient heat pump will suffice. Look for one with a SEER rating of 14-17 and an HSPF rating of 8.0 to 9.0. By the way, the SEER rating, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, measures cooling efficiency. The HSPF rating, or Heat Seasonal Performance Factor, measures heating efficiency.
In cool climates, your best bet for the perfect heat pump is a dual fuel heat pump. These are also called hybrid heat systems because the heat pump can be included as part of a split system with a gas furnace. The heat pump can be used in cool weather and the furnace can be programmed to take over in very cold weather –when heat pumps are not as effective.
3. Search for top-rated heat pumps in the price range, efficiency and performance range you need. Not all value-priced heat pumps are created equal. The same is true for high-end heat pumps with 2-stage performance. Find quality sites with heat pump reviews that can help you sort through which models are worth considering and which ones won’t do the job.
Conclusion
How to pick a great heat pump begins with knowing how you define “great” based on your needs. These 3 tips for choosing the right heat pump will help. Decide whether you need a short-term or a long-term heat pump, find the right type for your climate, and use impartial HVAC reviews to help you select the best ones out of those you are considering.