Types of Heat Pumps
- Air Source: An air source heat pump has a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating that is very important to how well your heat pump will perform in the summer. Though it’s important to also consider the HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) rating, which dictates how well it heats, the SEER rating is much more important to Georgia’s hot, humid summers.
- Split Ductless: A split ductless heat pump works in a similar fashion to an air source heat pump, but the temperature change is handled through a couple of small pipes that are drilled through your walls rather than a full indoor system. The heat is exchanged at the outdoor unit, which then is transferred to an indoor unit containing a heat exchange coil and fan system. The SEER rating is also important.
- Geothermal: A geothermal heat pump isn’t as strongly impacted by location because it draws its temperature differential from loops of pipe buried deep in the ground. For this reason, geothermal heat pump systems base their cooling efficiency on their EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating and their heating efficiency on their COP (Coefficient of Performance) ratings. Because the pipes must be buried, this is the most expensive type of heat pump.