Heat Pump Purchase Guide for Denver Consumers

The heat pump is a great choice for Denver consumers looking for a warm home in the winter and a cool home in the summer.

For many years, Denver homeowners purchased separate air conditioners and furnaces to cool and heat their homes. Heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular since they can adequately heat and cool an area. Heat pumps are also power-efficient, saving you money on heating and cooling.

However, with so many heat pump types on the market, it can be hard to select the best one for your needs. This useful guide offers information on what to look for in a heat pump and the many types of heat pumps available, helping you to make an informed purchasing decision. At DALCO Heating and Air Conditioning, we have the best Heat Pumps. When you come to our shop, we’ll help you find the heat pump that suits your preference and needs.

How to Purchase the Best Heat Pump?

Because a heat pump is a significant investment, you need to carefully evaluate numerous variables before purchasing to guarantee you get the most out of it. These factors are discussed in detail in the sections that follow.

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Heat Pump Varieties

Heat pumps are classified into three types, air source, split-ductless, and geothermal. Heat pumps all work on the same principles, although they collect heat from various sources. All heat pumps, regardless of kind, should be installed by a skilled HVAC expert who can evaluate the appropriate size and product for your house and environment.

Air Source Heat Pump

The most common form of a heat pump is an air source, commonly known as air-to-air. The system consists of an interior and outdoor unit that extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it inside the home. These heat pumps are reasonably priced and take up minimal space. The devices work effectively in mild temperatures because they use outside air as the medium for heat exchange.

Split-Ductless Heat Pump

Mini-split heat pumps are another name for split-ductless heat pumps. They consist of two units: an outside compressor and up to four interior handlers. These systems do not involve ductwork since the refrigerant is circulated through tubing that joins the interior and outdoor units. Split-ductless heat pumps are energy-efficient and can be controlled remotely. They provide architectural flexibility and are perfect for homes without ductwork.#

Geothermal Heat Pump

Geothermal heat pumps are classified into two types: ground-source heat pumps and water-source heat pumps. They transport heat via a network of pipes buried in loops outside. Geothermal heat pumps, in addition to managing temperature, also control humidity. These devices require minimum maintenance and perform effectively in harsh environments.

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How to Choose a Heat Pump?

Compressor Type

The compressor is the core of a heat pump; it is the component that pumps heat. A single-speed compressor is used in simple heat pumps. It can only be turned on or off. This system functions adequately, however, the relative humidity and temperature in your home will fluctuate with the cycles. Some compressors have two modes, which reduce the swings, but they still remain.

A variable-speed compressor is a gold standard. It’s intended to operate practically continuously, adjusting itself over time to provide only the heating or cooling required to keep your house comfortable. It’s also significantly better than single-speed ones in controlling relative humidity.

Variable-speed compressors not only make your house comfier, but they also save electricity. It may appear contradictory, but moving a modest amount of heat all the time requires far less energy than quickly transferring a large amount of heat.

Performance in Climate

You must either choose a heat pump that’s rated to function effectively at the lowest temperatures your area frequently experiences, or you must have a backup heating system if you reside in a place with harsh winters. This does apply to many Denver homeowners.

The amount of space that all air-source heat pumps can successfully heat decreases as temperatures drop, and they all operate less effectively. Some heat pumps work poorly below 25° F, while others start to perform poorly at 17° F or below.

Models marketed as cold-climate heat pumps can operate at maximum efficiency down to 5° F and may still be able to provide some heat even at -20° F or below. Working with a trained local contractor who is aware of the equipment that is effective in Denver is the best option, such as DALCO Heating and Air Conditioning. A simple heat pump may take care of the majority of your heating and cooling requirements if you reside in a place where the temperature rarely or never goes below freezing (32° F). For unforeseen cold spells, you can retain a basic electrical-resistance backup system (often integrated with the heat pump itself).

Efficiency

Some heat pumps use minimal energy to provide the same degree of comfort as others. The Seasonal Energy-Efficiency Rating (SEER) is often used to represent efficiency in cooling mode. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the system. The heating seasonal performance factor, or HSPF, is the measurement used in heating mode. The greater the number, the more energy-efficient the machine.

Although expensive, heat pumps with higher SEER and HSPF ratings sometimes pay for themselves over time via lower energy expenses and may be qualified for better tax benefits or refunds than less efficient types. Although there is no correlation between the two, heat pumps with greater SEER frequently have higher HSPF ratings also. Pay more attention to the SEER if you reside in a warm environment. If you live somewhere cold, seek a higher HSPF.

In the United States, a new split system heat pump must have a minimum SEER of 13, and in the southern part of the nation, it must have a minimum SEER of 14. The HSPF requirement is 8.2. Systems with a minimum SEER of 15 are considered to be Energy Star compliant. Early in 2023, the minimum federal criteria will be raised to include a minimum HSPF of 8.8, a minimum SEER of no less than 14 in northern areas, and no less than 15 in southern regions. The most effective models have a 33.1 SEER or a 14 HSPF.

Size

An insufficient heat pump for your requirements may have difficulty in keeping your house comfortable. A bigger unit, on the other hand, will cost more, and if it isn’t a variable-speed type, it will cycle on and off more frequently than it should. This reduces efficiency, puts strain on components, and makes your house less pleasant.

The cooling capacity of a heat pump is measured in British thermal units per hour (Btu/hr.). Btu/hr is often measured in “tons,” with 1 ton equaling 12,000 Btu/hr. Ensure your contractor does a load calculation based on a recognized technique, such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manual J, to verify that your heat pump is sized correctly. The calculations should be performed following any air-sealing or insulation changes to your house, whether you’re repairing a unit or installing a new one.

If you intend to have a backup heating system beside your heat pump, you might want to choose a smaller heat pump. A contractor can advise you on whether this is appropriate for your property. Because heat pumps are significantly more energy-efficient than furnaces or boilers, they require far less energy to heat a place.

Noise

The user manual and frequently their websites are where manufacturers provide the noise levels for their devices. They usually give decibel-measured noise estimates for many external temperatures and fan speeds. It is preferable to have a lower rating, particularly if the heat pump is placed next to a bedroom window.

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How Can You Find the Most Energy-efficient Heat Pump?

Looking at a heat pump’s ratings might be helpful, but don’t always depend exclusively on them. Almost every heat pump provides such significant advantages over conventional equipment that it is rarely required to seek the actual top metrics within the heat pump category.

The majority of heat pumps have two efficiency ratings. The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) compares the cooling capability of a system to the energy required to run it. While the heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) assesses the link between the system’s heating capability and energy usage. In colder areas, a higher HSPF is preferred, whereas a higher SEER is preferred in warmer ones.

Heat pumps must have a SEER rating of a minimum of 15 and an HSPF of at least 8.5 to qualify for Energy Star accreditation. Expensive heat pumps with a SEER of 21 or an HSPF of 10 or 11 are not uncommon.

As with heat pump sizing, the overall energy efficiency of your house will be determined by numerous factors other than the heat pump itself, such as weatherization and air filtration, the climate in which you reside, and how frequently you want to use your system.

Cold Climate Heat Pumps Might Be the Best for Your Home

Summers in Denver are hot, winters are cold and snowy, and it is partly cloudy all year. Throughout the year, the temperature typically ranges from 22°F to 89°F. DALCO Heating and Air Conditioning offers a wide range of heat pumps that we’re confident will suit your needs and budget. Aside from this blog, our experts will help you choose the best heat pump for your Denver home. Visit us today!