If you are in the market for a new HVAC system and looking to reduce the cost of heating and cooling your home, then consider installing a new heat pump. Unlike other HVAC systems, a heat pump both heats and cools the air—all from one unit. This dual-purpose, energy-efficient system can cool a house during hot, sticky days and heat it when it’s chilly outside, ultimately saving space, energy, and money.
To ensure you have all the information you need about heat pump benefits and how to choose a new heat pump for your home, we consulted with Mark Woodruff, senior product manager, ducted outdoor at American Standard.
Why are heat pumps a good investment?
Heat pumps don’t generate heat—they transfer it. Through a process of compression and exchange, a heat pump pulls heat from the surrounding air, passes it through a refrigerant coil to decrease the temperature, and then transfers the cooled air into the home. It then reverses this process when it’s cold outside to increase the temperature of indoor air. The best part of using a heat pump is you no longer need multiple HVAC units to feel comfortable in your home.
Heat pumps, such as American Standard’s AccuComfort Variable Speed Platinum 20 Heat Pump, offer a variety of benefits compared to traditional HVAC systems. They are more energy-efficient, can save you money on your utility bill, maintain consistent temperatures throughout a home, improve indoor air quality, and pair well with solar panels, for example. Plus, when paired with the American Standard Home App, you can regulate temperature settings, setting a personalized schedule and more from virtually anywhere.
With so many pros, it’s the perfect time to consider replacing your current HVAC system with a heat pump. The spring season, in particular, is an opportune time to choose your new heat pump so you can install and optimize the unit before extreme weather arrives, such as hot temperatures and high humidity.
Heat and cool your home in an energy-efficient, eco-friendly way.
Environmental impact and energy efficiency are major priorities for today’s homeowners, says Woodruff. In his experience, consumers are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and lower their energy bills at the same time, and a new heat pump checks both boxes.
Woodruff describes heat pumps as a way to produce remarkable energy efficiency all in one smart, sustainable system. “Because heat pumps move heat rather than generate it by burning fuel, they use significantly less energy than traditional systems and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions,” he points out. Using less energy to heat and cool a home places less demand on the electric grid. “Many of our customers are not just thinking about comfort; they’re thinking about long-term sustainability,” says Woodruff.
For years, people would choose to replace an older piece of HVAC equipment with a newer version of what was already there, such as a furnace or air conditioner. But purchasing patterns have shifted recently. “We are now seeing a growing trend for homeowners to ‘fuel switch’ and replace an air conditioner and gas furnace with a new heat pump,” says Woodruff. “This trend is driven by a combination of incentives and rebates, and also by an increase in environmentally conscious homeowners who recognize the benefits of decarbonization.”
While heat pumps have always been popular in Southern states, more customers in colder Northern areas now are interested in installing heat pumps as well. Even in regions of the country with extremely cold winters, homeowners can pair a heat pump with a gas furnace and allow the system to switch automatically between the heat pump or the gas furnace as needed. “This configuration, called a hybrid heat pump, maximizes the high heating output of the gas furnace on the coldest of days, with the performance and efficiency of the heat pump on the rest,” says Woodruff.
Look also for variable-speed or multistage technology, which provides more consistent temperatures, better humidity control, and quieter operation. “Additionally, features like smart thermostat compatibility, advanced air filtration options, and strong warranty coverage can greatly enhance overall comfort, convenience, and peace of mind,” notes Woodruff.
Lower your energy bills by installing a heat pump.
When shopping for a new heat pump, customers should prioritize a few key features to ensure they get the best performance and long-term value. First, look for high energy-efficiency ratings, such as a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER2) and Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF2) score. “These indicate better year-round efficiency and cost savings,” Woodruff says. In general, heat pumps rated at 17 SEER2 and above are considered highly efficient, with the highest efficiency models rated at 22 SEER2. An HSPF2 rating of 8.2 to 10 is also considered a good choice.
The monthly savings for a heat pump are achieved more by virtue that you are likely replacing an aged and lower-efficiency system. Using systems such as the AccuComfort Platinum 20 Heat Pump can see energy savings up to 50 percent over an older comparable system. Many of these savings arise from the product’s dual function, that it has no need to burn expensive fuel like gas or oil, and its overall energy efficiency. Plus, certain efficient systems can qualify for additional savings, including a federal heat pump tax credit of up to $2,000, state heat pump rebates, and local utility heat pump rebates, notes Woodruff.
Improve the comfort of your home with a heat pump.
In addition to providing more consistent temperatures, heat pumps can also improve indoor air quality and decrease humidity. Because they do not require combustion to operate, they don’t emit nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, or carbon monoxide. They also have powerful filters that effectively reduce allergens, such as dust and pollen, from the air.
If you want to maximize comfort, be sure to select the right type of system. “Variable speed systems offer the best experience,” says Woodruff. “Unlike traditional systems that often cycle on and off abruptly, variable-speed models run longer at lower speeds. This creates a more balanced indoor climate without the hot and cold spots homeowners often experience with older systems.”
Better humidity control also means the air feels more comfortable year-round, helping to reduce issues like dry skin in the winter and that sticky, heavy feeling during the summer. Having a heat pump would eliminate these issues and negate the need for additional appliances such as a dehumidifier. “Overall, these improvements contribute to a healthier, more relaxing living environment,” says Woodruff.