Heat Pumps: Terms to Know

Heat pumps are innovative heating and cooling systems that offer efficient and sustainable solutions for home comfort. Here are the key terms to know to help navigate the world of heat pumps:

• Heat Pump: A heat pump is a heating and cooling system that transfers heat from one location to another rather than producing heat through combustion or electric resistance. In heating mode, it extracts heat from the outdoor air or ground and transfers it indoors to warm the home. Cold climate air-source heat pumps operate down to -30°C. In cooling mode, it operates just like a high-efficiency air conditioner. 
• Coefficient of Performance (COP): COP is the most common metric for heat pump efficiency. It is the ratio of heating or cooling output (in watts) to energy input (in watts) at specific test conditions. When anyone references equipment that is “250% efficient”, they are referring to equipment with a COP of 2.5 at a specific dry bulb temperature.
• HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor): HSPF is a measure of the heating efficiency across the entire heating season. It is the ratio of heating output (in BTUs) to energy input (in watt•hours) over the winter. Higher HSPF indicates greater energy efficiency and lower operating costs in the winter.
• SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio): SEER is the cooling equivalent of HSPF. It is the efficiency across the entire cooling season (summer). It is the ratio of cooling output (in BTUs) to energy input (in watt•hours). Higher SEER indicates greater energy efficiency and lower operating costs in the summer.
• ASHP (Air Source Heat Pump): An air-source heat pump extracts heat from the outdoor air and transfers it indoors to heat the home in winter. In summer, the flow switches direction and it operates as an air conditioner to remove heat from the indoor air. Air-source heat pumps are the most common type of heat pump with significantly lower installation costs. They’re the preferred solution for most homes. 
• ccASHP (cold climate Air Source Heat Pump): An air source heat pump specifically designed to operate in colder climates (like Canada).
• Ground-Source Heat Pump: Ground-source heat pump extracts heat using the ground (soil or groundwater) or body of water (like a lake or pond) as the source and sink to transfer heat. It is fundamentally the same system as an air source heat pump but it generally has a higher efficiency because of the more constant temperature of the ground. Upfront costs are significantly higher because of the requirement to drill or dig to install ground loops.

Understanding these terms will help you make informed decisions when choosing, operating, and maintaining a heat pump. Whether you're considering installing a heat pump or already have one in your home, knowing these terms will empower you to make the most of this innovative heating and cooling technology.

Still have questions? 

If you have any further questions or need assistance with installation or maintenance, don't hesitate to reach out to our team of experts. We're here to help you enjoy all the benefits of a modern, efficient heat pump system for years to come! 

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