One of the biggest household expenses for the typical family is the monthly energy bill. A great way to cut costs is by upgrading your existing home comfort system for a more efficient model. A dual-fuel system is a popular choice, as it combines the best aspects of a traditional furnace and a heat pump. The furnace kicks in when it’s really cold outside, and the heat pump does the job when the weather is milder. As you consider your options, understanding HSPF ratings will help you choose the right heating equipment.

HSPF, or heating seasonal performance factor, is a measure of the effectiveness of air-source heat pump equipment. The rating for a heat pump is based on the ratio of heat output (as measured in British thermal units, also known as BTUs) to the watt hours of electricity consumed. This ratio is determined with performance and consumption data collected over the course of the whole heating season, so it is a realistic representation of both energy consumed and heat generated despite the occasional cold snap or warm front pushing through the area.

When choosing a heat pump, it’s important to consider the HSPF rating because it has an impact both in terms of the equipment’s performance and its overall operating cost. In an ideal world, you should aim to find a heat pump with a BTU/watt-hour ratio of eight or less, because eight is the magic number for getting a federal tax credit for energy efficiency.

Once you’ve chosen the best heat pump for your household, considering how it works with a new or existing furnace will help you optimize energy efficiency and maximize savings. To find out more about making the most of your investment on heating and cooling equipment for your home, contact the folks at Smoky Mountain Heating & Air.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Smoky Mountain Heating & Air services Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding areas. Visit our websiteto see our special offers and get started today!     

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