Archive for the ‘Heat Pumps’ Category

Princeton Heating Question: What is COP (Coefficient of Performance) and Why Is It Important?

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

There are a lot of numbers attached to your Princeton heat pump designed to tell you how much energy it consumes, how efficient it is and how that efficiency compares to what you would get out of other systems. One such number is the coefficient of performance – a measurement that shows how the energy consumed by the heat pump compares to the amount of heat energy produced by that heat pump.

The higher the COP rating of your system, the more efficient it is. Most COP ratings are a decimal between 0.5 and 3.0. Keep in mind as well that some heating systems use other ratings to express the same idea. One example of this is the AFUE rating of a gas furnace.

For an electrical heating system or a heat pump, the COP is very important because it has a direct impact on how much energy you consume each winter to keep your home comfortable. If the weather outside is colder, can your system produce enough heat energy from that colder air?

If you are considering having a new heating system installed in your Princeton home, it’s a good idea to make sure you choose one with as high a COP as possible within your budget while still matching the output needs of your home. Heritage Air and Heat can help you do just this.

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Lawrenceville Heat Pump Installation Guide: What to Look For in a New Heat Pump

Monday, May 21st, 2012

When you are making a big purchase, like a new heat pump for your Lawrenceville home, you want to make sure that you are getting a good deal. You also need to make sure it has the features that you want and that it fits the needs of your home.

  • When you are choosing a new heat pump, one of the most important features to look for is the energy efficiency. Heat pumps have two efficiency ratings, SEER and HSPF. SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio, and it is a measure of the how efficiently your heat pump cools. HSPF stands for heating season performance factor, which a ratio of the heat produced divided by the total electricity used. For both of these ratings, the higher the number is, the more efficient the unit. Heat pumps, just like air conditioners, can receive the ENERGY STAR label if they meet certain requirements of energy efficiency.
  • You should also think about getting a heat pump that has demand defrost control. Heat pumps with demand defrost control only run the defrost cycle when it is needed, instead of on a timer, which reduces how much energy your unit uses.
  • When you have your new heat pump installed, remember to have it placed away from windows, since the fans and compressor will make some noise. You can also install the unit on a noise absorbing base to reduce sound levels.
  • When you get your new heat pump, you might also think about getting a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat will allow you to turn down the heat pump during the times of day you don’t need it, such as when everyone is at work or school, which will save you energy without sacrificing comfort. However, you need to make sure that your programmable thermostat supports multi-stage functions, which are necessary for the thermostat to work with many models of heat pumps.

When trying to choose the perfect heat pump for your home, the best thing you can do is consult with a  a professional Lawrenceville HVAC contractor. They will be able to go over with you all the features that you need and help you chose the right model for your budget. For any heat pump installation questions, give Heritage Air and Heat a call!

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