A heat pump is basically an air conditioning system that can both heat and cool a room or house.  It offers the best of both worlds by giving both heating and cooling comfort in your home throughout the year, regardless of the season. It works by extracting heat from the air outside your house and transferring it into the house, or vice versa. When buying a heat pump, you may be faced with difficulties in deciding the best option for your home. However, with the following in mind, the process of choosing the right one should be easy and well informed.

Important factors

There are different heat pumps in the market with different levels of performance and efficiency. As a homeowner, one of your top considerations should be energy efficiency and low repair and servicing costs. Energy efficient heat pumps provide air conditioning while reducing operating costs. It is essential to choose a heat pump that is not only energy efficient, but also of high quality with low repair and service costs.

Heat pump size

It is important to choose a heat pump that generates an adequate amount of warm and cold air for your home while maintaining high efficiency and low maintenance needs. Heat pump efficiency and temperature range are key factors when determining the right size for your needs. If your house is insulated, you may not need a big heat pump as compared to a house whose walls and ceilings are not insulated. In order to determine the right size, you require an energy contractor to calculate your house's heating load that is based on factors such as size of the house and insulation. They can then identify the right heat pump size based on these calculations.

Energy efficiency of heat pumps

Heat pumps are designed with different measures of efficiency. Heat pump efficiency is measured by two types of ratings: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) and Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HOPF). Heat pumps that have a higher SEER and HOPF rating have higher efficiency; however, they are more expensive than less efficient models. The payback period is shorter for high efficiency models due to reduced operating cost making them preferable.

Exterior features of heat pumps

Exterior features of heat pumps are also essential in ensuring durability of the heat pump from outdoor hazards and elements of weather. Go for heat pumps with galvanized steel or other material with non-corrosive properties. For aesthetics, you can have a heat pump whose cabinet is powder painted or finished.

Once you select the right heat pump, ensure you get a highly specialized contractor for installation services. An experienced and specialized contractor is fundamental in ensuring the heat pump performs optimally. For more information about heat pumps, contact a local HVAC company.