What to Know for a Heat Pump Replacement.

Heat pumps are known for providing many years of dependable service, but even the best system won’t last forever. If you’d like to spend less money on heating and cooling, replacing a worn-out heat pump is the way to go. A new energy-saving heat pump can keep you comfortable all year without busting your budget. Here’s what you need to know about the latest generation heat pump.

When to Replace Your Heat Pump

The last thing you want is an HVAC system that doesn’t come through for you when you most need it. Has your heat pump reached the end of its lifespan? The following telltale signs indicate that now is the right time to replace your system.

• Replacing a heat pump that’s more than 10 years old with a newer model can shave up to 20% off your energy bills.
• Heat pumps that require more than three major repairs over their service life are prime candidates for replacement.
• Performance issues such as frequent on/off cycling impact your comfort as well as your wallet.

Types of Heat Pump

Despite their name, heat pumps are best known for cooling. They keep you chill all summer by extracting heat from the air and moving it outdoors. Today, most models can also provide heating. When the weather turns wintry, they pull heat out of outdoor air, condense it and bring it indoors. By moving heat instead of generating it, heat pumps operate at as little as one fourth of the cost of other HVAC systems.

• Providing the whole-home comfort that many families prefer, central heat pump systems use ductwork to circulate air through your home.
• Ductless heat pumps feature independent air handlers that allow you to personalize settings in different areas of your home.
• Geothermal heat pumps draw thermal energy from the Earth to maximize the system’s efficiency.

Innovative Features and Functions

Thanks to advancements in HVAC technology, today’s heat pumps perform better and use less energy than ever before. Not every change is readily apparent to the consumer. Engineers have worked hard to make internal improvements centered on optimizing the refrigeration cycle. Fine-tuning components such as cooling coils and thermostatic expansion valves allow heat pumps to operate more efficiently.

When it comes to performance, few HVAC features impact your comfort more than a variable speed motor. This remarkable innovation allows the compressor or blower to speed up or slow down to match your comfort needs. Instead of on/off operation, you enjoy a consistently even delivery of conditioned air. The best heat pumps can now maintain your ideal temperature within 1/2° of the thermostat setting.

Energy Efficiency Ratings

Energy ratings compare a heat pump’s cooling or heating output with the system’s energy consumption. Since most heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, heat pumps feature two kinds of efficiency ratings. The heat pump’s heating season performance factor (HSPF) represents the unit’s heating efficiency. The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) determines the heat pump’s cooling efficiency. The higher the rating, the more you’ll save on operating costs. National efficiency standards for heat pumps are 8.2 HSPF and 14 SEER.

As a Trane Comfort Specialist, Freyaldenhoven Heating and Cooling offers some of the industry’s most efficient heat pumps. Top of the line is Trane’s TruComfort XV20i system. This groundbreaking heat pump boasts a 10 HSPF and an astonishingly high 21 SEER rating. Trust our HVAC experts can help you find the heat pump best for you.

Offering an all-season solution to indoor comfort, heat pumps are some of the most energy-efficient HVAC systems on the market. Since 1970, the team at Freyaldenhoven Heating and Cooling has been proud to provide heat pump services for homes and businesses in Central Arkansas. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of a new heat pump installation, call us today.