After years of providing warmth during cold weather, your current heating system gave out. As you search for a new heating system, you may have come across heat pumps. Air-source heat pumps have benefits that are seeing them rise in popularity among HVAC systems, but what are these benefits?
As experts in everything heating and air conditioning, we’ve installed and repaired HVAC systems in hundreds of homes across Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air, we’re aware of how heat pump installations are increasing due to their benefits.
As we install more and more air-source heat pumps, we see the factors behind their beneficial effects. The top benefits of air-source heat pumps include.
- Energy efficient
- Provides heating and cooling
- Has multi-zone configurations
- Qualifies for special rebates
In this article, you’ll learn how and why each of these benefits of air-source heat pumps can have a positive impact besides keeping your home warm and cool year-round.
What Are the Benefits of Air-Source Heat Pumps?
Energy Efficient
Air-source heat pumps are highly energy efficient thanks to their ability to use electricity to transfer heat instead of relying on natural gas for fuel combustion. Heat pumps conserve energy by absorbing the heat from the surrounding air (even in cold temperatures) and using a special refrigerant to produce warm and cool air.
The heat pump’s ability to heat and cool is measured using the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) and Seasons Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER2). The higher the SEER and HSPF rating, the more energy savings a heat pump can provide. According to the Department of Energy, the minimum SEER rating allowed is 15, and most air-source heat pumps have a rating over 16.
Regarding heating efficiency, the lowest HSPF rating is 7.5. Heat pumps have HSPF ranging from 8 to over 10. Compared to gas furnaces, heat pumps offer better energy efficiency for heating.
Whether it’s heating or cooling efficiency, heat pumps remain environmentally friendly. Natural gas combustion in other heating systems produces greenhouse gases as a by-product. Heat pumps do not use any natural gas at all, therefore eliminating the release of emissions that can harm the environment.
Most HVAC systems are made up of a furnace that heats and air conditioning that cools. Another benefit of heat pumps is that they offer a simple two-in-one design that provides heating and cooling.
Offers Heating and Cooling Year-Round
Air-source heat pumps can provide a home with sufficient cooling during the hotter months of the year and warmth when the weather becomes cold. Complete HVAC systems typically use a gas furnace for heating and an air conditioning system for cooling.
Furnaces and air conditioners may usually require separate maintenance and tune-ups for upkeep. A heat pump system allows homeowners to schedule yearly maintenance to ensure their heating and cooling works properly.
Even though complete HVAC systems and heat pumps provide heating and cooling, heat pumps tend to take up less space. Heat pump installations may be better suited for homes with limited space.
In terms of installations, heat pumps offer flexibility to be installed regardless of a home’s unique layout.
Multi-Installation Configuration Available
Heat pump systems offer the opportunity to configure the installation that best meets a home’s layout and homeowner’s heating and cooling needs. Depending on what a homeowner is interested in, a technician may provide any of the following installation configurations.
- Ducted vs. ductless: If you’re replacing your home’s current HVAC system, you can use the existing ductwork to run with the air-source heat pump. Homeowners can also go in the opposite direction and seek a ductless heat pump system. Also known as mini-splits, ductless systems allow homeowners to control the set temperature of the heat pump by room or space.
- Split vs. packaged: Air-source heat pump installations can be split or packaged. The difference is that split systems have an indoor unit and another outdoor unit that work together to provide heating and cooling, respectively. Packaged heat pump systems are all-in-one units with all the necessary components to heat or cool a home.
The pricing for these configurations depends on various factors. Ductless heat pump systems tend to cost less than ducted heat pumps. Packaged heat pump systems are less invasive than split systems, but split heat pump systems can offer higher energy efficiency.
The top heat pump brands offer various models that can be ducted or ductless and split or packaged. Whichever you choose, there’s a chance it can qualify for a special rebate and tax credit only available with heat pumps.
Qualify for Special Rebates
Heat pump systems may provide homeowners with savings through a special rebate and tax credit. The rebate and tax credits are available as an incentive to encourage homeowners to switch to environmentally friendlier fixtures such as air-source heat pumps and heat pump water heaters.
A rebate for qualifying heat pumps is available for Los Angeles homeowners serviced by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. A federal tax credit is available for other residents who don’t qualify. Qualifying homeowners can apply for a tax credit of up to $2,000 or up to 30% of the total heat pump installation cost.
These savings are only available with heat pumps and not other HVAC systems.
Is an Air-Source Heat Pump Worth It?
Ultimately, homeowners have the final decision of whether or not air-source heat pumps are worth investing in. By listing and explaining all of the benefits associated with heat pumps, homeowners can determine if these systems suit their homes while meeting their heating and cooling needs.
Heat pumps may be newer HVAC technology, but at Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air, our technicians receive special training to understand the ins and outs of heat pump systems. For over 15 years, we’ve helped homeowners across Los Angeles and the surrounding area pair their homes with adequate heating and cooling.
If you’re interested in a heat pump system, contact us using one of the buttons below. You can also book an appointment through our HVAC online scheduler.
After reading about the benefits of heat pump systems, check out how they compare with the disadvantages by reading the pros and cons of heat pumps.
