Heat Pump Buying Guide: The Complete Checklist - Trane®

Electrification8 min read

By Anne Fonda

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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 -square-foot home would need a 3-ton unit, and a -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.1-ton heat pump12,000 BTUs sq. ft.2-ton heat pump24,000 BTUs sq. ft.3-ton heat pump36,000 BTUs sq. ft.4-ton heat pump48,000 BTUs sq. ft.5-ton heat pump60,000 BTUsHome size (sq. ft.)Heat Pump Size (tons)Heat Pump Size (BTUs)500 sq. ft.1-ton heat pump12,000 BTUs sq. ft.2-ton heat pump24,000 BTUs sq. ft.3-ton heat pump36,000 BTUs sq. ft.4-ton heat pump48,000 BTUs sq. ft.5-ton heat pump60,000 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 . 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 . 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:

The company is the world’s best Commercial Air Source Heat Pump Manufacturer supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

• 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. 

Anne Fonda, Content Writer

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A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.

She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.

When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.

Expert review by Mark Woodruff, Senior Product Manager, Ducted Outdoor

Are you looking to invest in a heat pump? You are not alone -- many entrepreneurs are making the switch.

Heat pumps have been repeatedly identified as a key, cost-effective solution for tackling the carbon emissions associated with keeping buildings warm at international, regional and national levels. The costs of manufacturing the pumps have also declined significantly over the last decade, which bolsters the case for heat pumps.

The global heat pump market size is expected to expand at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1% from to . The industry growth is expected to be driven by increased demand for energy-efficient and cost-effective space heating and cooling applications in residential and commercial housing in the future.

If you want to invest in the products, you can consider the following factors before purchasing the right for your customers or your own commercial buildings.

Types of heat pump

Air-source, water-source, and ground-source are a few main types of heat pumps. Air Source technology is expected to dominate the market in the U.S. over the forecast period due to that air source is the quickest and easiest to install and it looks like a normal air conditioning unit. You can use these units to generate hot water or hot air, some units can also incorporate a reversing valve to operate in cooling mode also. The main heat pump products from Smad are air-sourced, if you need to know the installation procedures or other requirements, you are welcome to leave your questions.

Ground source is the second most popular option, it's more commonly used for hot water production but you can also get units and systems that can reverse to provide cooling. It uses thermal energy embedded within the ground that comes from the sun. This option requires extensive excavation however and is typically costlier to install, so it's best suited to new builds as it can be incorporated within the construction to reduce costs.

Water-source heat pumps draw heat from a pond, lake, or water deposit, Each type has its advantages and disadvantages.

Compressor Type

The compressor is the core component of a heat pump. It is the primary factor that determines whether the heat pump is good or bad. What counts is not merely the energy efficiency of the compressor but also the limits placed on applications by the evaporating and condensing temperatures, highly durable mechanical parts and quiet operation. Moves the refrigerant through the system. Smad heat pumps contain a scroll compressor. When compared to a piston compressor, scroll compressors are quieter, have a longer lifespan, and provide 10° to 15°F warmer air when in the heating mode. A good heat pump compressor will offer an outstanding seasonal performance factor that is kind to both natural resources and the operator's wallet. It will also be as flexible as possible as regards evaporation and condensing temperatures and will emit no obtrusive noise. With good compressors, there will be no stopping the triumphal progress of the heat pump.

Efficiency

Looking at a heat pump's ratings can help, but don't focus exclusively on that. Almost any heat pump offers such major advantages over traditional equipment that it's usually not necessary to seek out the absolute highest metrics within the heat pump category. There are many standards used across the world for assessing the efficiency of heat pumps. I'm going to take one of the most common ones as an example, focusing on units made in the US and EU.

COP: COP values or the coefficient of performance is used worldwide for both heating and cooling, it's simply the heating or cooling output divided by the electricity input. It's not a good indicator of efficiency however because it only gives a snapshot of how a unit should perform under very precise conditions. For example, a unit has a heating COP of 2.9 and that is achieved when the outside air is -3°C DB/-4°C WB (26.6°F DB/24.8°F WB) while providing 35°C (95°F) water for 8.3 kW of heating and consuming 2.86 kW of electricity. As the outside air temperature varies hourly and daily, this isn't a good indication of efficiency. We reviewed the manufacturer literature of many air source units and found them to vary between 2.75 and 6.13.

Refrigerant type

A refrigerant, also known as a cooling agent, is a thermodynamic medium involved in the process of heat exchange in a piece of cooling equipment or heat pump.

While there are currently heat pumps operating with various working media in the market, several of these may be considered the most popular.

By refrigerant type, the heat pump market is segmented into R410A, R290, R32, and others. The R410A and R290 segment holds the largest share in the market. The refrigerant can boost the system's efficiency rating. The minimum effect on the ozone layer is expected to drive the R410A and R290 refrigerant segment of the heat pump market during the forecast period.

Those were some of the essential factors that you need to consider when looking for heat pumps. If you are interested in heat pump products, please feel free to let us know.

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