What to Know When It’s Time for A New Heat Pump

When was the last time you thought about the age of your heating and cooling system? If the overall lifespan of your current system is approaching the 10 to 15-year mark, it might be time to start thinking about a replacement for your Oak Ridge, Tennessee home. Here are some factors to consider when it’s time for a new heat pump installation.

Understand SEER Ratings

The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) on your heat pump refers to its maximum efficiency rating. This is an important consideration for your new system, because the higher its SEER rating is, the more energy-efficient the system will be.

If your heat pump is over 10-years old, then it’s likely that its current SEER is 8 or less. Modern systems, on the other hand, range between 13 to 21 efficiency. Especially those with an Energy Star label. According to Energy Star, the minimum requirements for heat pumps in Tennessee homes is a 14.5 SEER.

Unfortunately, choosing a new heat pump is not as easy as looking at this rating. Factors like your home’s size, your current ductwork, among others, all play a part in your system’s overall efficiency. It’s important to contact a professional to perform a load calculation of your home and make a system recommendation that it’s right for you.

Think About New Technology

Technology advances are constantly happening, and heating and cooling systems are not an exception. When shopping for a new heat pump for your home, make sure to take into consideration all technologies available before making a final decision. Some of these include:

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats are Wi-fi enabled, which allows you to access them via your phone or tablet when you’re on the go or even when you’re home. These devices are also labeled as smart because they can learn your schedule and adjust your home’s temperature accordingly.

When considering a new system, it’s important to keep in mind how smart technology can help you save on energy costs in the long run. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, being able to regulate indoor temperature on a set schedule can help you save 10 percent or more on your energy bills.

Two-Stage Compressors

Two-stage systems are the most common type of heat pumps used in the United States. They are called 2-stage compressors because they allow two heating and cooling settings – a high and a low. As a result, your system will run at full capacity during the harshest summer days and at a lower speed to accomplish the thermostat setting during a fresh, spring afternoon.

Two-stage compressor systems have a higher initial cost than a single-stage heat pump, however, once installed, they will more than make up for that with their increased energy efficiency. You’ll find that your energy costs will reflect a savings of 20% or more.

Variable-Speed Motors

Is there anything better than the fact that heat pumps work for both cooling and heating your home? The answer is variable-speed motor pumps. Unlike other more traditional HVAC systems with only one or two stages, variable-speed motors increase or decrease your system’s output according to your specific needs.

Variable-speed heat pumps operate at varying speeds to give homeowners maximum indoor comfort. They work smarter, not harder.

Schedule a Professional Heat Pump Installation

There are a lot of different factors to consider when thinking about a new heat pump installation, which can be overwhelming. For this reason, having a professional perform a load calculation is important to ensure you choose a system that is the right size for your home.

If you’d like to learn more about our different heat pump systems currently available, or you would like to schedule a professional load calculation to learn what type of system is best for you and your current heating and cooling needs, you can contact our experts at Cook’s Comfort Systems, Inc. today.