Air Source, Electric
Electric Air-Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) provide both heating and cooling in one integrated system and use the difference between outdoor and indoor air temperatures to cool and heat a home or building. ENERGY STAR-qualified and high efficiency ASHPs have higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) ratings than today’s standard models. SEER is the most commonly used measurement of efficiency, and measures how efficiently a cooling system will operate over an entire season. EER measures how efficiently a product will operate when the outdoor temperature is at a specific level (95 degrees Fahrenheit).
ENERGY STAR® and high efficiency ASHPs also have a higher Heating and Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF), which measures the heating efficiency of the heat pump. These products may have a higher up-front purchase price, but the cost difference will be paid back over time through lower energy bills because ENERGY STAR® ASHPs are about eight percent more efficient than standard new models, and up to 20 percent more efficient than older heat pumps.
Typically, the contractor designing and installing the heating/cooling system will suggest the preferred system type (electric air source or electric water source) depending on a variety of factors.
Buyer's Guide for Electric Air Source Heat Pumps
What you should know before buying an Electric Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP):
Ask for an ENERGY STAR® or high-efficiency model. When buying an electric ASHP from a retailer or contractor, request an ENERGY STAR-qualified or high efficiency model to ensure that you will realize the greatest savings.
Check the yellow Energy Guide label. Use the yellow Energy Guide label to determine the model’s energy use, compare the energy use of similar models, and estimate annual operating costs.
Sizing and installation. When buying a new ASHP, sizing and installation are as important as product quality. Make sure you find a participating BPI-accredited contractor who will size your heat pump based on the conditioned volume and specific characteristics of your house or building including insulation levels, window types, air leakage, etc. Proper equipment sizing is based on your home or building's heat loss during cold weather and heat gains during warm weather. Sizing and other installation practices can dramatically affect how well your new equipment will deliver comfort and savings.
Energy-saving Tips
Follow these helpful guidelines to realize maximum energy savings:
Consider regular maintenance. This will maintain your heating and cooling system performance.Change the filter. Change your filter at least every three months. If the filter looks dirty, it is time to replace it.
Seal ducts. Ducts that move air to and from a forced-air furnace are often big energy wasters. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent. You can get better heating and cooling performance with ENERGY STAR® home sealing (insulation and air sealing) and duct sealing.
Test air flow. A participating BPI-accredited contractor will test the air flow of your heating and cooling system and make adjustments to make sure it is not too high or low, both of which will affect performance and comfort.
Electric Water Source Heat Pumps
Electric Water Source Heat Pumps (WSHPs) use an electric compressor to transfer cooling or heating energy to or from a water loop that circulates through the building to or from a body of water, generally a lake or a pond. In cold weather, the heat pump removes heat from the water loop and transfers it to the air. In hot weather heat is removed from the building and rejected into the water loop. The connection to a water body makes the unit more efficient than units that simply vent or gather heat to or from the outdoor air.
ENERGY STAR-qualified and high efficiency WSHPs have higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) ratings than today’s standard models. SEER is the most commonly used measurement of efficiency, and measures how efficiently a cooling system will operate over an entire season. EER measures how efficiently a product will operate when the outdoor temperature is at a specific level (95 degrees Fahrenheit). ENERGY STAR® and high-efficiency WSHPs also have a higher Heating and Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF), which measures the heating efficiency of the heat pump. Though these products can be more expensive to purchase up front, the cost difference will be paid back over time through lower energy bills because ENERGY STAR® and high efficiency WSHPs are more efficient than standard new models, and more efficient than older heat pumps.
Typically, the contractor designing and installing the heating/cooling system will suggest the proper system type (electric air source or electric water source) depending on a variety of factors.
Buyer’s Guide for Electric Water Source Heat Pumps
What you should know before buying an Electric Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP):
Ask for an ENERGY STAR® or high-efficiency model. When buying an electric WSHP from a retailer or contractor, request an ENERGY STAR-qualified or high-efficiency model to ensure the greatest energy savings.
Check the yellow Energy Guide label. Use the yellow Energy Guide label to determine the model’s energy use, compare the energy use of similar models, and estimate annual operating costs.
Sizing and installation. When buying a new ASHP, sizing and installation are as important as product quality. Make sure you find a participating BPI-accredited contractor who will size your heat pump based on the conditioned volume and specific characteristics of your house or building including insulation levels, window types, air leakage, etc. Proper equipment sizing is based on your home or building's heat loss during cold weather and heat gains during warm weather. Sizing and other installation practices can dramatically affect how well your new equipment will deliver comfort and savings.
Energy-saving Tips
Follow these helpful guidelines to realize maximum energy savings:
Consider regular maintenance. This will maintain your heating and cooling system performance.
Change the filter. Changing your filter regularly (at least every three months) is a good idea, but it is hard to know how much energy it actually saves. Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it.
Seal ducts. Ducts that move air to and from a forced-air furnace are often big energy wasters. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent. You can get better heating and cooling performance with ENERGY STAR® home sealing (insulation and air sealing) and duct.
Test air flow. A participating BPI Accredited contractor will test the air flow of your heating and cooling system and make adjustments to make sure it is not too high or low, both of which will affect performance and comfort.
Information in this article is courtesy of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). For more information, visit www.getenergysmart.org.
