Heat Pumps: The Ultimate Guide

What is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is a device that moves heat from the outdoors to the indoors, or vice versa, depending on your needs. Like a refrigerator, the heat pump evaporates refrigerant at low pressure to absorb heat from its surroundings and then condenses the refrigerant at high pressure on the other coil to release the heat absorbed earlier. This process can either warm or cool your home. The energy savings are fantastic over electric baseboard heaters, especially in North American climates with high weather variance.

How Do I Know If I Have a Heat Pump?

Every heating and cooling unit should have an efficiency label. This label will state if you have an air conditioning unit or a heat pump. If you cannot determine if you have a heat pump, your unit may have an EnergyGuide label (or EnerGuide in Canada). EnergyGuide labels typically have two numbers present; Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF). A SEER rating indicates how efficiently a heat pump cools a space, and HSPF represents how efficiently they heat an area (HSPF). If these numbers are present, then you have a heat pump.

How Long Should a Heat Pump Run?

Heat pumps are very efficient at heating your home and are designed to run 24/7 during cold weather. If your heat pump continuously runs in cooling mode during warm summer weather, there could be a problem, and your heat pump may require service. If this is the case, the most common issues are dirty air filters that need cleaning, your thermostat has not been correctly set up, or an issue with the condensate pump. If you've checked these common occurrences and the problem persists, schedule a service call with a local heating and cooling expert.

How Much Do Heat Pumps Cost?

You can expect to pay $2,000 for smaller and less efficient heat pump models and up to $7,500 for the best and most efficient larger heat pumps on the market. Homes with a sturdy building envelope, energy-efficient windows, and high-performance insulation will be able to get by with smaller (and less expensive) heat pumps.

How Much Can a Heat Pump Save You?

Heat pumps can save around 40 percent on your annual heating and cooling bills. More energy-efficient households and homes located in warmer climates can expect to save even more. According to the US Department of Energy, the average household expense for utility bills is around $2,200. An average of 40 percent savings amounts to $880 per year with a payback period of 2.5 years for smaller units priced at $2,000 and 8.5 years for more expensive units that cost up to $7,500.

What Temperature Is a Heat Pump Not Effective?

It depends on what heat pump you buy! Heat pump units are becoming increasingly efficient and effective. It is a good idea to have a secondary source of heat in your home in colder climates. Heating experts recommend a secondary heat source if temperatures go below 30°F, but some units are now effective down to -25°C (-13°F).

What Is a Ducted Air Source Heat Pump?

A ducted air-source heat pump can provide efficient heating and cooling for your home. When properly installed, an air source heat pump can deliver one-and-a-half to three times more heat energy to a home than the electrical energy it consumes. This is possible because a heat pump moves heat rather than converting it from fuel as combustion heating systems do. Air-source heat pumps are an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. They are also the most common type of heat pump used in homes. When appropriately installed, heat pumps can also supply the house with a steady hot water supply. This reduces the need for a separate hot water heater, another energy-intensive aspect of traditional houses.

What Is a Ductless Air Source Mini-split Heat Pump?

Ductless mini-split-system heat pumps are excellent retrofit add-ons for houses without ducted heating systems, such as hot water heat, radiant panels, and space heaters such as wood, kerosene, or propane. They are an excellent choice for room additions where extending or installing ductwork is not feasible or new homes requiring only a small space conditioning system. A ductless mini-split heat pump might be the best transition away from your old natural gas furnace and central air conditioning unit for households looking to do a passive house retrofit.

What Is a Geothermal (Ground Source) Heat Pump?

As with any heat pump, geothermal and water source heat pumps can heat, cool, and, if so equipped, supply the house with hot water. Some models of geothermal systems are available with two-speed compressors and variable fans for more comfort and energy savings. Relative to air-source heat pumps, they are quieter, last longer, need little maintenance, and do not depend on the outside air temperature. A complete geothermal heating system is a significant financial investment for any home. Still, it can provide your home with all its heating and cooling needs in a renewable and sustainable manner.

What Is a Good Efficiency Rating for a Heat Pump?

Heat pumps, like all appliances, must contain a federal "EnergyGuide" label that determines the unit's energy efficiency for both heating and cooling a home. While heat pumps can reduce the energy and fossil fuels needed to heat and cool your home, there are significant differences in energy efficiency ratings.

The two most widely used efficiency rating standards for heat pumps are SEER and HSPF. Both of these measurements are determined by observing and evaluating the performance of a heat pump over a year.

SEER is an evaluation of the efficiency of a specific heat pump model when it is used for cooling or air conditioning. Remember, heat pumps (despite their name) are used to heat and cool a home. The SEER rating is calculated by dividing the amount of cooling required of a home in BTUs by the total electricity used. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the heat pump will be for cooling your home during the summer. All heat pumps in the US have a minimum efficiency requirement of 13 as mandated by the Department of Energy.

The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) is similar to SEER in that it determines the amount of heating in BTUs divided by the total amount of electricity used. However, it also includes calculations for energy needed to defrost the pump during cold spells and any backup heating requirements required to keep the home at a comfortable temperature.

Energy Star heat pumps will generally have a SEER rating anywhere between 18 and 27.5 and an HSPF rating between 8.5 and 12.5.

For geothermal heat pumps, the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) and COP (Coefficient of Performance) are the energy-efficient indicators you should look for. The EER minimums are 17.1 to 21.1, and the COP minimums are 3.1 to 4.1. Typically, the higher the efficiency, the higher the unit's price.

What Size Heat Pump Do I Need?

Heat pump sizes are measured by the amount of air they can move and are rated in tons. Most heat pumps range between 1.5 to 5 ton systems. Heating experts size a heat pump based on your climate, the size of your home, the energy efficiency of your home, level of insulation, and house envelope considerations.

How to Defrost a Heat Pump

Heat pumps have a built-in defrosting feature, allowing them to melt ice buildup during freezing weather. This is done when the fan activates and runs hot liquid through the pump's compressor. This defrost functionality should run automatically and as much as every 60-90 minutes on days when the temperature dips below freezing. You can consult your heat pump's owner's manual to determine its defrosting capabilities. If your heat pump doesn't defrost after several attempts, it may indicate that your heat pump has a mechanical issue and requires maintenance.

Why Won't My Heat Pump Go Into Defrost Mode?

The most common reasons a heat pump won't go into defrost mode are a lack of drainage, the absence of coolant flow inside the heat pump, or a shortage of airflow. The heat pump may be positioned too low in the ground in remote cases. Look for apparent issues needing adjustment and call a heating and cooling expert if the problem persists.

What Do You Do When Your Heat Pump Freezes in the Winter?

If ice builds up and prevents your heat pump from operating correctly, it signals a problem with its defrosting capability. A heat pump ice buildup can be caused by low refrigerant levels, dirty air filters, blower motor coil, or fan blade blockage. It's also possible that your heat pump could have a malfunctioning blower motor, thermostat, or temperature sensor. Schedule a service call with a heating and cooling expert as soon as possible to reduce any long-term damage that could occur.

How Long Does a Heat Pump Last?

A well-maintained heat pump can last 15-20 years, if not more. Climate and other operating factors also impact a heat pump lifespan. Most heat pump manufacturers offer warranty programs protecting your unit for ten years. Warranties are a critical component to consider when buying a heat pump. Not all warranties are created equal. It's essential to understand what is and isn't covered under warranty.

How Do You Reset Your Heat Pump?

Most heat pumps can be reset via the remote, turning the system off with the thermostat or turning the breaker off and then back on. If you reset the breaker, wait 60 seconds before turning it back on. It could take between 5 to 10 minutes for the outdoor unit to start. Consult your heat pump user manual for reset instructions and troubleshooting.