Heat pumps

A heat pump is an HVAC system that uses electricity to heat and cool your home. In the summer, heat pumps act as air conditioners by transporting heat from inside your home, outside. In the winter, heat pumps take heat from outside and deposit it into your home. That means, heat pumps can heat your home when it’s cold outside, and cool your home as temperatures rise.

SEER2, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, measures how efficiently your heat pump cools your home — the higher the SEER2, the more efficient your heat pump is at cooling. Since the Department of Energy revised minimum SEER2 ratings for heat pumps, effective Jan. 1, 2023, there’s no magic number for a good SEER2 rating. Instead, good SEER2 ratings vary by region and capacity, so talk to your local Trane dealer to help determine the best one for your home.

HSPF2, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, measures how efficiently your heat pump heats your home — the higher the HSPF2, the more efficient your heat pump is at heating. Effective Jan.1, 2023, the Department of Energy will require all split system heat pumps to have an HSPF2 rating of 7.5 or higher, and all single-packaged heat pumps to have an HSPF2 of 6.7 or higher. However, these are just minimum ratings, and the right HSPF2 rating for your heat pump depends on factors such as geographic location, home size, and more.

If you’re facing an issue with your current heat pump, our Repair or Replace tool can help you determine the best next step for your home. Generally speaking, replacement makes sense if your heat pump is over 10 years old, has a SEER2 or HSPF2 rating less than the Department of Energy minimum requirements, requires frequent repairs, or is the cause of increased energy costs.

The biggest difference between a heat pump and a ductless (also known as mini-split) heat pump is the amount of space in which the system can control the temperature. A traditional heat pump is part of a central heating and cooling system, which means it utilizes ductwork to distribute newly warmed or cooled air throughout your entire home. On the other hand, a mini-split heat pump does not use ductwork; instead it heats and cools just the room or space where it was directly installed.

When it comes to a heat pump vs. furnace, there are two big differences to keep in mind. First, a heat pump can both heat and cool your home, while a furnace typically only heats your home. Second, these two HVAC systems generate heat in different ways. While a furnace uses a fuel source like gas or propane to create heat, a heat pump uses electricity.