“Hi!...I'm The Climatemakers
Heat Pump Answer Man”
For
over half a century I've been answering people's  questions
about heat pumps and air conditioning. You can
send me your questions just by clicking here.
Before
we can talk intelligently about heat pumps, there are three "semi-technical" terms
with which you should be familiar.
1. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning).
2. SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio).
SEER is the energy efficiency rating of the cooling output of a central air
conditioner and/or a heat pump. Currently, the DOE’s (Department Of Energy)
minimum SEER rating is 10. DOE has mandated an increase to 13 effective January
2006.
3. HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor).
HSPF is the energy efficiency rating of the heating
output of a heat pump.
Currently, the DOE’s minimum HSPF is 6.8. The higher the SEER and
HSPF, the more efficient the unit.
Remember that the ratings mentioned above are minimum standards, and that
any air conditioner or heat pump that is 10-15 years old only has a SEER rating
of about 6. That’s because that was the highest rating available back
then.
Much higher efficiencies are available
today and the savings can be substantial! Some of today’s equipment has
SEER ratings of 18 or more. To see what
this means to you in dollars and cents ($-$-$-$-$), look
at this chart:
Cooling
Cost Comparison Chart*
|
New
Equipment
SEER |
Old
Equipment
SEER |
Percentage
of
Savings |
10 |
6 |
40% |
10 |
8 |
20% |
12 |
6 |
50% |
12 |
8 |
33% |
12 |
10 |
17% |
14 |
6 |
58% |
14 |
8 |
43% |
14 |
10 |
29% |
14 |
12 |
15% |
16 |
6 |
63% |
16 |
8 |
50% |
16 |
10 |
38% |
16 |
12 |
25% |
16 |
14 |
13% |
18 |
6 |
66% |
18 |
8 |
56% |
18 |
10 |
45% |
18 |
12 |
33% |
18 |
14 |
23% |
18 |
16 |
12% |
|
|
| * Product of Contractors Advantage Inc. |
That same government dept (DOE) that determines the efficiency ratings
of equipment also had this to say in their consumer publication Major Appliance
Shopping Guide.
“A heat pump’s performance and energy efficiency not only depend
on the selection and planning of the equipment but also on careful installation.
Consumers and home builders alike tend to accept the
lowest bid for heating and air conditioning work. This unfortunate choice can
often leave a system lacking
10 to 30 percent in the materials and labor necessary to optimize heat pump performance.Rather than just accepting the lowest bid, it’s best to research the performance
records of local contractors…” **
‘ Nuff said!
For some things
to look for when consulting a HVAC Contractor click here.
For answers to some of the most "Frequently Asked Questions" click
here.
To see the benefits and additional advantages that accrue from Annual Preventative
Maintenance For Cooling Systems, click here.
To see the benefits and additional advantages that accrue from Annual Preventative
Maintenance for Heating Systems, click here.
To order a Pre-Season Checkup of your heating system, to assure
safety and economy of operation including Special Web Site Discounts, click
here.
To schedule a service call other than pre-season check-up on your Heat
Pump System, click here.
To schedule a Sales Appointment, click here.
For specifications
of Lennox High Efficiency Cooling Systems and Heat Pumps, click the
appropriate box.
Air Conditioner Heat
Pump
By the way, if you have any questions about
Air Conditioning call my TWIN brother at Ask The Cooling Answer Man, just click
here.
OR
If you have any questions about Heating Systems, visit my other brother Ask
The Heating Answer Man, just click here.
P.S. Do your friends and family a favor. E-Mail them the link below so they
too can get these Buying Secrets and other answers to their HVAC questions...They
will thank you for it!
www.climatemakers.com
**Excerpts of the preceding information was compiled by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Renewable Energy, and published in their Major Appliance Shopping Guide. |
