Heat Pumps FYIs

Here is some straighforward information to help you decide which Carrier air conditioning solution is right for your home and budget, wherever you live in Philadelphia, Bucks or Montgomery Counties. If you have any questions about this, we would be glad to help you out as well!

What Does SEER Rating Mean?

SEER, Seasonal Energy Efficient Ration, is “The total heat removed from the conditioned space during the annual cooling season, expressed in BTUs, divided by the total electrical energy consumed by the air conditioner or heat pump during the same season, expressed in watt-hours,” according to the Air-Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration Institute. Basically it’s the heat removed compared to the energy used in the warm months, a measure of the efficiency of a cooling system. The higher the SEER rating the better the system. By comparison, most window air condition units have SEER ratings of 10, while home systems have SEER ratings of 14 or better.

What Does HSPF Rating Mean?

HSPF, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, is the ratio of BTU heat output and the watt-hours of electricity used over the heating season. BTU is a measurement of energy efficiency of an appliance: how much heat is required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. So an HSPF rating compares how much heat a heater produces to how much energy it uses. the higher the percentage the more efficient the product. HSPF can range from 6.8 to 10. The lowest HSPF rating for a heating pump to be considered ENERGY STAR rated is 8.2 for single package units and 8.5 for split systems.

Different Compressor Types

What's the difference between single, two-stage and variable speed compressors? Single-stage compressors have one output speed - high. Two-stage compressors operate most often at about 65% of total capacity, but full capacity during extreme temps. A variable-speed compressor has a fan motor that can move at different speeds and controls the amount of air dispersed in a home. A single-stage unit may offer the lowest initial investment, but it can cause high monthly energy bills. A two-stage unit is quieter and more efficient, while variable speed units are the most intelligent on the market and can save you big on energy costs over their lifetime.