Heat Pumps Definition & Benefits
This device uses minimal energy to pull the heat out of the air or ground and provide heat for a home or building.
Heat pumps work in both cooling and heating modes, making them versatile energy-saving appliances usable year-round to save money on your energy bills. They also tend to be more energy-efficient than their related appliance counterparts.
During the cooling season, the device transfers heat from your house to the outside. The device also moves the heat from outdoors into your home for the heating season.
One should remember that heat pumps only transfer heat and do not generate heat. It takes advantage of the science of thermodynamics to heat and cool your home.
There are many benefits of heat pumps, such as requiring far less electricity than conventional air conditioners. Heat pumps use anywhere from 40 to 60 percent of the energy needed for an air conditioner on average, improving comfort while saving on your utility bill.
Heat pumps also use the two most plentiful resources in many areas: the sun and the ground. It can be powered by electricity, solar panels, or even natural gas.
You can also save more money on your energy bills by using a geothermal heat pump, as it consumes less than one-third of the energy required for heating and cooling.
Factors That Influence Heat Pump Efficiency
Several factors determine heat pump efficiency; here are some of them.
The Ductwork in the Home
Ductwork can account for up to 50 percent of heat loss in your home, so it is essential to ensure that the ducts are properly sealed.
Heat pumps use a lot of electricity, and any leakages of hot or cold air into the attic or outside will cause the system to work harder and less effectively. Ensure that all leaks have been fixed before running the heat pump.
Preferred Energy Source
Heat pump efficiency is better when using electricity as a power source, but they can work with other sources, including heating oil and natural gas.
The device also works well in cold climates where the temperature drops below freezing because wet surfaces have less latent heat loss.
They are more often used in warm climates with cool winters, but they can be found throughout the world. Heat pumps also use less electricity when there is a significant difference between the inside and outside temperatures.
Regional Climate
Heat pump efficiency depends on your climate because it affects how well heat pumps provide heat.
It works best in areas with an average temperature of 10 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months because it provides a significant enough difference between outside and inside air temperatures to make heat pumps effective heating appliances.
Heat pumps will not effectively provide heat in areas where the average temperature is below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
Sizing
When sizing your heat pump, you should use the size calculation method that considers the home's insulation rating, square footage, number of windows, and number of people in the house.
Heat pumps provide free hot water during the summer months, so you should only size up to your family's existing electric water heater capacity to get maximum efficiency out of the unit.
Heat pump systems are sized up in kilowatts rather than amps, so it is essential to get an estimate from a local electrician.
How Heat Pump Efficiency Is Graded
There are several ways to compute a heat pump's efficiency. Two of the most common are the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating and Heating Seasonal Performance Factor.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER)
SEER is a heat pump's standard energy efficiency measurement during cooling. The device is graded on an efficiency scale from 1 to 20. Like other rating metrics, the higher the SEER score, the higher the heat pump’s efficiency level.
SEER is measured using the total amount of heat removed from the home during the cooling season divided by the total number of operations. The calculation considers the varying temperature conditions throughout the cooling season.
The established minimum SEER efficiency for residential, air-source, split-system heat pumps is 14. On the other hand, the highly-efficient heat pumps are rated at 18 SEER up to 20 SEER.
Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)
In terms of energy efficiency during the heating mode, heat pumps are rated in terms of HSPF. Like SEER, the higher the HSPF number the heat pumps have, the higher their efficiency.
HSPF is measured using the total amount of heat provided during the heating season versus the amount of electricity used by the heat pump, considering the varying outdoor temperature conditions.
The established minimum HSPF efficiency for residential, air-source, split-system heat pumps is 8.2. On the other hand, the highly-efficient heat pumps are rated at 10 HSPF up to 13 HSPF.
Ways to Increase a Heat Pump's Efficiency
There are several ways to ensure your heat pump's efficiency. By observing the steps provided below, you can help your heat pump operate more effectively and do even more to boost comfort in your home.
Always Use the Heat Pump System
Heat pumps are designed for use as heating systems in the winter and air-conditioning systems in the summer, so if you have a heat pump system installed, try using it throughout the year and not just as a backup for your primary source of home heating or cooling.
It uses about half as much energy to provide similar levels of heating and cooling as conventional heating and air-conditioning systems.
Inspect Heat Pumps Regularly
Before each heating season — or before each cooling season, if you live in a warm climate — have a trained professional in heat pump maintenance inspect your system.
Heat pumps require regular maintenance to keep the compressor, fan, and coil operating efficiently.
Use Thermostat
Thermostat heat pump control systems are specially designed for heat pumps. They monitor your home's heating requirements and switch the system to electric resistance heating when necessary, ensuring that you only use the right energy source for your home.
You can also install a programmable thermostat. It ensures that you do not heat or cool your home when no one is around, which reduces unnecessary energy use.
Replace the Air Filter Regularly
If your heat pump is equipped with a filter, replace it regularly. Heat pumps work best in clean air, so replacing the filter helps them operate efficiently year-round.
Clean the Heat Pump Exterior
Every month, clean the coil fins of your heat pump with a soft brush or garden hose. You can also vacuum it weekly to remove dirt and debris.
This will increase its efficiency by allowing heat transfer from inside to outside more quickly, like how a dirty windshield on your car impedes heat flow from the interior to the exterior.
Fix Duct Leaks
Leaks in the ductwork that lead to and from your heat pump can also reduce its efficiency. Heat pumps distribute hot or cold air through the ducts, so repairing these leaks helps improve heat transfer and ensures you do not waste energy.
The Bottom Line
Energy efficiency is one of the best ways to save money on energy-related expenses and contribute to a healthy, sustainable environment.
One of the most energy-efficient devices you can use in your home is a heat pump. To make sure the heat pump operates as efficiently as possible, there are steps you need to take.
To keep your home comfortable with minimal environmental impact, heat pumps rank high on the list of appliances that provide the best energy savings.
Heat pumps are a highly efficient, eco-friendly heating and cooling source for your home. However, there are ways to make sure your heat pump operates as efficiently as possible.
Maintaining your heat pump regularly keeps it operating at optimal efficiency year-round. Clean the exterior coil fins to improve airflow, replace the air filter regularly, sweep the dirt off the exterior from time to time, and inspect the ductwork for leaks.
Heat pumps help provide comfortable indoor air, but if you take these steps to maintain your heat pump's efficiency, you will reduce additional energy use and cost while increasing its longevity.
FAQs
1. How do heat pumps work?
This is a type of air conditioner and furnace in one. Heat pumps can cool your home in the summer and heat it during winter months, too — without using electricity like some other air conditioners do.
2. What is heat pump efficiency?
Heat pump efficiency is the percentage of heat energy transferred from one place to another with a heat pump.
3. How is heat pump efficiency graded?
A heat pump's efficiency is graded on its Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Heat Season Performance Factor (HSPF). SEER tells you how much energy the unit will consume, while HSPF tells you how efficiently it heats your home.
4. What are heat pump ducts?
Heat pumps distribute hot and cold air through the ductwork inside your home. Heat pump ducts should be well insulated to ensure heat transfer is as efficient as possible.
5. What is heat pump sizing?
The size of a heat pump depends upon the size of your house, how much insulation you have, how much square footage you need to heat and cool, and the climate where you live.
