When you’re looking for an energy-efficient heating and cooling system for your Las Vegas, NV, home, a heat pump is an excellent choice. The mild, short winters in Las Vegas are a good fit for the heating functions of a heat pump. Because a heat pump also performs as an air conditioning system, it will keep your home cool and comfortable throughout the long, hot summers. Here’s what you should know about the energy efficiency of heat pumps.
Heat Pump Energy Efficiency
Heat pumps are 300% energy efficient. This means that they transfer three times more heat energy than they use to make the transfer. The most energy-efficient gas furnace is 98% efficient. No gas furnace can match a heat pump when it comes to energy efficiency. For cooling functions, new heat pumps are as efficient as new central air conditioning systems.
Why Heat Pumps Are So Efficient
Furnaces burn fuel to create heat. Some energy is lost to the combustion gases that must be ventilated from the flue. In contrast, a heat pump doesn’t generate any heat. It moves it from an area where there’s more heat to an area where there’s less heat. Air-source heat pumps are the most common and most affordable type of heat pump. Water-source heat pumps are mid-range in price, and they have a slightly higher energy efficiency compared to air-source heat pumps. Ground-source heat pumps, which are also called geothermal heat pumps, are the most energy-efficient type. They’re more complicated and costly to install, but they have a faster payback period and the longest lifespan.
New Energy-Efficient Features in Heat Pumps
New heat pumps have several high-tech features that make them more efficient. Variable-speed compressors and motors only operate at the highest speed when needed. The rest of the time, they operate at a slower speed that uses less electricity. High-efficiency heat pumps contain a desuperheater. This device recovers heat from the heat pump’s cooling mode and uses the energy to heat water. The desuperheater will reduce your home’s energy use because heating water accounts for about 20% of a typical household’s energy consumption.
How Heat Pump Heating Efficiency Is Calculated
The heating efficiency of a heat pump is calculated with the heating season performance factor (HSPF) rating. It’s a measure of how much heat the system moves compared to the amount of input energy required to move it. It’s important to make sure that you get a heat pump that’s the right capacity or size based on your home’s elevation, location, age, and building material.
How Heat Pump Cooling Efficiency Is Determined
The cooling efficiency of a heat pump is measured with the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating. Air conditioner energy efficiency is also measured this way, so you can compare how efficiently a particular heat pump versus an air conditioner will cool your home. SEER ratings are a calculation of how much cooling power the heat pump delivers compared to the amount of electricity it uses during the same period of time. The period of time is an entire cooling season. The Department of Energy has set the minimum SEER rating for new heat pumps to be 13. The highest-rated units have SEER ratings of 22.
What Energy Star Certification Means for Heat Pumps
The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency combined expertise and resources to create the Energy Star program. This program certifies energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, including heat pumps. When a product gets the Energy Star certification, it’s at least 20% more energy efficient than a unit with the same capacity. Choosing an Energy Star-certified heat pump will lower your utility bills by at least 20% all year long. In Las Vegas, a heat pump must have a SEER rating of 14 or higher and an HSPF rating of 8.2 or higher in order to get the Energy Star certification. When getting a new heat pump, be sure to pair it with a smart thermostat for additional energy efficiency benefits.
Fast Response Services is the trusted installer of heat pumps in Las Vegas. We also install other heating and air conditioning systems. Our heating and air conditioning maintenance and repair services keep your home comfortable all year long. You can also turn to us for indoor air quality solutions, ductwork, thermostat repair, and air handler repair. To learn more about the energy efficiency of heat pumps, get in touch with us at Fast Response Services today.
