Size (Capacity)
A heat pump that’s too small for your needs will struggle to keep your home comfortable. On the other hand, an oversized unit will cost more, and if it isn’t a variable-speed model, it will cycle on and off more often than it should. This decreases efficiency, stresses components, and leaves your home less comfortable.

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A heat pump’s cooling capacity is measured in British thermal units per hour (Btu/hr.). Btu/hr. can also be expressed in “tons,” with 1 ton equaling 12,000 Btu/hr. To ensure that your heat pump is sized correctly, make sure your contractor does a load calculation based on a recognized method, such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manual J. The calculations should be done after any air-sealing or insulation upgrades are made to your home and should be done whether you’re replacing a unit or installing a new system.

One nuance to consider: If you’re planning to keep a backup heating system alongside your heat pump, consider getting an undersized heat pump. A contractor can help you figure out whether this makes sense in your home.

Note that heat pumps need far less capacity to heat a space than a furnace or boiler would because they’re much more energy-efficient. For example, if your home needed a 100,000-Btu/hr. furnace, it may need only a 36,000-Btu/hr. heat pump.

Compressor Type
The compressor is the heart of a heat pump—it’s the part that actually pumps the heat. Basic heat pumps have a single-speed compressor. It’s either on or off. This system works well enough, but the temperature and relative humidity in your home will swing up and down with the cycles. Some compressors have two speeds, which mitigates the swings, but they’re still present.

The gold standard is a variable-speed compressor. It’s designed to run almost constantly, adjusting itself over time to deliver only as much heating or cooling as it takes to keep your home comfortable. It’s also much better at keeping relative humidity under control than single-speed models are.

Variable-speed compressors not only keep your home more comfortable but also are more energy-efficient. It may seem counterintuitive, but it takes much less energy to move a tiny bit of heat all the time than to move a lot of heat quickly.

Efficiency
Some heat pumps use less energy than others to deliver the same level of comfort. In cooling mode, efficiency is commonly expressed as the seasonal energy-efficiency rating, or SEER. The higher the SEER, the greater the efficiency. In heating mode, the measurement used is the heating seasonal performance factor, or HSPF. Again, the higher the number, the more energy-efficient the unit.

As of January 2023, the Department of Energy adopted new testing methods for energy efficiency, replacing the SEER and HSPF values with SEER2 and HSPF2, while also increasing efficiency standards.

Heat pumps with higher SEER/SEER2 and HSPF/HSPF2 ratings tend to cost more, but they’ll often pay for themselves over time through lower energy costs, and they may be eligible for better tax incentives or rebates than less efficient models. Heat pumps with higher SEER ratings also tend to have higher HSPF ratings, though there’s no direct relationship between the two. If you live in a warm climate, pay closer attention to the SEER. In cold climates, look for a higher HSPF.

Climate Performance
If you live in a region with cold winters, you’ll need to either pick a heat pump that’s rated to work well in the lowest temperatures that your region regularly experiences or have a secondary heating system to back up your heat pump.

All air-source heat pumps struggle to perform as temperatures drop; the space they can effectively heat shrinks and they don’t work as efficiently. The threshold for poor performance varies from model to model. Some heat pumps falter at 25° F, others at 17° F or lower.

Models marketed as cold-climate heat pumps can work to their full potential all the way down to 5° F and may deliver some heat even down to -20° F or lower. The best course is to work with a qualified local contractor who knows what kind of equipment works well in your area.

If you live in an area where the temperature rarely or never drops below freezing (32° F), a basic heat pump can handle the bulk of your heating and cooling needs. You can keep a simple electrical-resistance backup system (sometimes built into the heat pump itself) for unusual cold snaps.

Noise
Manufacturers publish the noise levels of their products in the user manual and often on their websites. They tend to include noise estimates across a variety of outdoor temperatures and fan speeds, measured in decibels. A lower rating is better, especially if the heat pump will be installed near a bedroom window.

Reliability
In our member survey, heat pumps from eight brands were judged highly reliable, but only two of them also got top marks for owner satisfaction. Consumer Reports members can see the predicted reliability and owner satisfaction ratings for 29 brands of heat pumps, based on data that CR members have shared about 10,158 heat pumps they bought new and installed in their own homes between 2007 and 2023. Those findings are summarized in our guide to the Most and Least Reliable Heat Pumps.

7 min read

Buying a Heat Pump: A Checklist

Thinking about buying a heat pump this winter but need help sorting through the information? Read our handy checklist for everything you need to know to make a smart choice in even the coldest climates.

Published:
February 7, 2024

What Is a Heat Pump?

While heat pumps are becoming more and more popular, don’t feel bad if you don’t know a lot about them. An electric air source heat pump is typically an outdoor unit that both heats and cools your home. They are alternatives to the standard central air conditioners and furnace systems.

How does a heat pump work? That’s another question we get a lot. Essentially, a heat pump uses heat energy and through heat exchange, transfers it to a cooler environment. 

This means the air source unit takes the heat in the outside air and transfers it into your home in the winter. It then reverses the process and transfers heat inside your home to the outside in the summer. 

For a more detailed explanation, read our blog on demystifying heat pumps.

Benefits of a Heat Pump System

• They are highly efficient.

• Heat pumps use electricity, meaning they don’t burn any fossil fuels, and therefore reduce your climate footprint.

• A heat pump system can provide long-term cost savings on your energy bills.

How to Choose the Right Heat Pump

Choosing the right unit starts with asking some questions and finding the right answers. Some top heat pump considerations are size, energy efficiency, cost, and brand. Keep reading to learn more about each factor.

1. What size heat pump do I need?

Determining the correct sizing for your home involves either the Manual J load calculation or estimating based on the square footage of your home. 

Manual J Load Calculation

The Manual J load calculation is a series of calculations that HVAC contractors or technicians use to determine how much heating or cooling your home needs. It includes several factors, including:

• The square footage of your home

• Height of the ceilings

• Your home’s insulation

• Your climate and how many days you will need heating and cooling

• How often you use the space (does anyone work from home?)

• How many people use the space

• Heat-producing appliances

• Your preferred temperature

• Number of exterior doors

• Number of windows

The technician enters these numbers into a formula to determine the precise size of the unit you need. 

A calculation that is simpler but not as precise is calculating the size heat pump you need based on your home’s square footage. In general, Every 500 square feet needs a capacity of one ton for air conditioning. 

For example, a 1500-square-foot home would need a 3-ton unit, and a 2500-square-foot home would need a 5-ton unit. But you also need to understand what each ton means in British Thermal Units (BTUs). You might find the chart below helpful in sizing your heat pump. 

Home size (sq. ft.)

Heat Pump Size (tons)

Heat Pump Size (BTUs)

500 sq. ft.

OUTES contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.

1-ton heat pump

12,000 BTUs

1000 sq. ft.

2-ton heat pump

24,000 BTUs

1500 sq. ft.

3-ton heat pump

36,000 BTUs

2000 sq. ft.

4-ton heat pump

48,000 BTUs

2500 sq. ft.

5-ton heat pump

60,000 BTUs

2. What energy efficiency ratings should I look for?

In general, we would recommend opting for the most energy-efficient heat pump you can afford. Prices generally go up the larger the unit and the higher the energy efficiency. But remember that the more efficient a unit is, the more it can save you on heating and cooling costs in the future.

SEER2

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, and SEER2 is the latest version that took effect in 2023. It measures the cooling efficiency of air conditioning units and heat pumps. The higher the SEER2 rating, the more efficient the unit is. 

HSPF2

HSPF2  stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor and HSPF2 is the latest standard that took effect in 2023. It’s a measurement of how effectively your heat pump can heat your home in the colder months. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit is in heating mode.

3. What does a heat pump cost?

There is no simple answer to this question because we don’t know all the factors - the size of your home, the type of unit you need/want, and more. In general, the cost of getting a heat pump installed will be more than a standard system with an outdoor AC unit and an indoor furnace. For Trane products specifically, we provide a price range for some units in our pricing guide.

But because of the increased energy efficiency, you may see a near-immediate decrease in your heating and cooling bills, which will last for the life of your system. Add to that the availability of federal heat pump tax credits (up to $2,000) for Energy-Star-qualified units, and buying a heat pump can become a cost-effective home improvement.

You can also use the Energy Star Rebate Finder, which can help you find state and utility company rebates in your area.

4. What brand should I buy?

Research reputable brands in the heat pump industry. Check reviews from websites such as Consumer Reports and others. Look for brand reputation, reliability, and quality. Trane recently achieved the honor of being ranked as the Most Trusted® HVAC Brand for the 10th year in a row, and we are excited to share this news.

You can explore our heat pumps to see the features and efficiency ratings available.

Consider a Dual Fuel System

If you live in a colder climate such as Minnesota, you may be wondering if a heat pump vs furnace is right for your home. Heat pumps are very common in the southern states, but heat pumps in cold climates are a viable heating solution when you install a dual-fuel system. 

This is when you install a cold climate heat pump that can operate efficiently in colder temperatures, and connect it to a gas furnace which kicks in only in extreme temperatures that the heat pump can’t handle. 

You get the energy efficiency of the heat pump and you pay less for natural gas or propane. Plus, you get air conditioning during those summer heat waves that are growing more common in northern climes.

Consider a Mini-Split Heat Pump/Ductless Heat Pump

A mini-split heat pump, also known as a ductless heat pump is a heating and cooling system designed for rooms or spaces that don’t have ductwork. This could include a garage, an enclosed porch, an attic, or a lake cabin - you get the idea. 

Options include:

• Mini-split single-zone heat pump for one space such as a garage or enclosed porch
• Multi-split ductless systems where you can heat and cool up to five spaces without ductwork. This can be a great option for a remote cabin, an older building, or even a historic home where installing ductwork would be cost-prohibitive.

An experienced HVAC contractor can help you determine the best solution for your home.

Find the Perfect Contractor for Heat Pump Installation

Finding the perfect HVAC contractor for your heat pump installation doesn’t have to be hard. But it will require some research. Here are some quick tips on steps to take to find the right company to do the job:

• Ask friends and family for recommendations. NextDoor and Facebook community groups are also good places to ask for recommendations.

• Google heat pump installation near me and check out the top 5 results, visiting their websites for valuable information.

• Look for industry credentials and certifications, as well as licenses where applicable.

• Read their reviews and customer testimonials, and look for how responsive they are to negative feedback, if any.

• Confirm that they offer HVAC maintenance and repair services as well as installation.

• Choose 2-3 HVAC contractors to visit your home and discuss the type of heat pump system they recommend for your needs, and the sizing that will offer the best comfort and efficiency.

• Discuss the installation process and timeline with each contractor.

• Discuss project cost and any financing options.

• Choose the company you want to work with.

Be sure to keep your receipts for the work you have done and the certificates for the equipment you have installed so that you can claim your tax credits when you file your taxes. Enjoy the comfort of a new heat pump system and watch your utility bills go down.

Are you ready to upgrade your heating and cooling system? From a standard heat pump system to a dual fuel system to a mini-split system, your local Trane Comfort Specialist can help you make the right choice for your home and your family. Reach out today to find the perfect heating and cooling solution for your home. 

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Contact us to discuss your requirements of Commercial Air Source Heat Pump Manufacturer. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.