How to Choose the Right Heat Pump for Your Home

Originally posted in Dec. 28, 2018, updated Jan. 11, 2022.

With Louisville’s mostly mild climate, an air-source heat pump is a popular choice for heating and cooling your home throughout the area. These products are remarkably efficient, and they provide heating and cooling in one convenient package. If you’re in the market for a new HVAC system, consider the following points.

Heat Pump Sizing

Sizing is one of the most important aspects of the installation process. It affects the equipment’s cost, the system’s efficiency, and your comfort. As a rule of thumb, most homes require 1 ton of heating and cooling capacity for every 400 to 600 square feet of living space. If the home is well insulated, this ratio can differ significantly. Our heat pump service experts use precise load calculations and equipment sizing standards established by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America to ensure that your new system performs optimally. Additional considerations include the orientation of the home, number of windows that impact heat gain and landscaping.

SEER and HSPF Efficiency Ratings

An easy way to compare heat pump units is by checking the seasonal energy efficiency ratio and heating seasonal performance factor. SEER ratings, which measure the equipment’s cooling performance, start at 14 and go up to 20 for high-efficiency models. For packaged units and split systems, HSPF ratings range from 8.2 to 10. Upgrading to an Energy Star-qualified product can lower your heating and cooling bills by 30 percent or more.

Variable-Speed Technology

Over the past 10 years, manufacturers have combined numerous technological advances to generate impressive energy savings. Most high-efficiency heat pumps feature variable-frequency drives that allow the system to accelerate or decelerate in tiny increments based on weather conditions, indoor temperatures and the amount of heating and cooling that’s required. These products deliver steady comfort with fewer temperature swings. In addition to reducing energy use, longer run times provide superior humidity and allergen control among other benefits.

If you’re interested in learning more about our heat pump services or if you’d like to request a free estimate for a new heat pump installation, call Birkhead Co. today.