Heat Pumps
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Introduction
Heat pumps replace furnace and central air conditioning equipment with a single heating-cooling system that "pumps" heat into the building in the winter and to the outdoors in the summer. Most heat pumps are compact two-piece units with both indoor and outdoor components. Single-package units are installed entirely outdoors. In size and appearance, a heat pump looks like a central air conditioner.
Because electricity in a heat pump is used to move heat rather than to generate it, the heat pump can deliver significantly more energy that it consumes, depending on the efficiency of the heat pump and the geographic location.
Technology Options
Most heat pumps have an outdoor unit (called a condenser) and an indoor unit (an evaporator coil). A substance called a refrigerant carries the heat from one area to another. Geothermal heat pumps use the relatively constant temperature of the soil or surface water as a heat source and sink for a heat pump, which provides heating and cooling for buildings. Ground-source heat pumps use a buried loop or coil of tubing to exchange heat with the soil in the yard. Water-source heat pumps use a loop of tubing submerged in a nearby lake or pond. Electric air-source heat pumps, often used in moderate climates, use the difference between outdoor air temperatures and indoor air temperatures to cool and heat a home.
The cooling performance of heat pumps, like that of central air conditioners, is rated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), which describes how many Btu per hour of heat are removed per watt the heat pump uses, adjusted for a representative seasonal cooling load. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the heat pump is at cooling.
Heating performance is measured by the Heating Season Performance Factor (HSPF), which is the estimated seasonal heating output divided by the seasonal power consumption for an average U.S. climate. The higher the HSPF, the more efficient the heat pump is at heating.
Currently the ENERGY STARĀ® label is awarded to air source heat pumps (split system) with SEERs of 14.5 or greater and HSPFs of 8.2 or greater. The most efficient heat pumps have SEERS of between 14 and 18 and HSPFs of between 8 and 10.
Efficiency Benefits
Geothermal Heat pumps are durable and require little maintenance. Most components are underground, sheltered from the weather. The underground piping used in the geothermal system is often guaranteed to last 25 to 50 years and is virtually worry-free. The components inside the house are small and easily accessible for maintenance. Warm and cool air is distributed through ductwork, just as in a regular forced-air system. ENERGY STAR qualified geothermal heat pumps use about 40 to 60% less energy than a standard heat pump, and are quieter than conventional systems.
ENERGY STAR qualified air-source heat pumps have higher SEER and HSPF than standard models, which can result in long-term savings. Below is an example of what a home in San Diego might save using a 36,000 Btu/hr air source heat pump. Use the ENERGY STAR calculator to find out how much you would save.
Cost-Effectiveness Example | ||||
Performance | Conventional Unit | ENERGY STAR Unit | ||
HSPF/SEER | 7.7/13 | 8.2/15 | ||
Annual Energy Use | 10,589 kWh | 8,160 kWh | ||
Annual Energy Cost | $1,800 | $1,387 | ||
Lifetime Energy Cost | $16,894 | $13,020 | ||
Purchase Price/unit | $5,700 | $6,700 | ||
Lifetime Energy Cost Savings | - | $2,874 |
Manufacturers
Manufacturers of ENERGY STAR qualified heat pumps include American Geothermal DX and ClimateMaster (geothermal) and Trane (air-source).
Visit the ENERGY STAR website for a complete list of qualified manufacturing partners of geothermal and air-source heat pumps.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) also provides more information on efficient heat pumps.
Purchasing Tips
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Emerging Technology
Refrigerants with ozone-destroying chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were used many years ago in heat pumps, but almost all equipment on the market today uses HCFC refrigerants, which have a much lower ozone-depleting effect. There are a few heat pump models now on the market (with more coming) that use refrigerants with no ozone-depleting effect; ask your supplier for information.