Seer Ratings For Heat Pumps [updated] Online

Logline: When the Martins moved into their drafty Vermont colonial, they thought a high-SEER heat pump was the ultimate flex. But as winter descended, they learned the hard way that not all efficiency ratings are created equal. Act I: The Summer of the Big Number Mark and Lisa Martin were tired of window AC units roaring in every bedroom. Their HVAC contractor, a smooth talker named Dave, pitched a solution: a new ductless heat pump system with a SEER rating of 22 .

The comment section was a graveyard of warnings they ignored. One friend wrote: “Wait til January.” January arrived with a polar vortex. The thermostat read 28°F outside. The heat pump, which worked so beautifully in summer, began to struggle.

The Martin’s 22 SEER unit had a terrible (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor)—only 8.2. It was a cooling machine that could sort-of heat. For Vermont winters, they needed a cold-climate heat pump with an HSPF above 10 and a low-temperature rating. SEER had nothing to do with it. Act III: The Neighbor’s Counter-Story Across the street lived the Chens. They’d installed a heat pump the same week. Their unit was only 18 SEER —four points lower than Mark’s. seer ratings for heat pumps

Their "efficient" system was now glowing red-hot electric coils—the equivalent of running a dozen toasters 24/7. The bill arrived: . Mark nearly choked on his coffee.

Dave sighed. “Mark, I told you about HSPF. You wanted the big SEER number.” Logline: When the Martins moved into their drafty

Chen laughed. “SEER is for summer. You bought a Ferrari for cooling and a golf cart for heating. I bought a Subaru—less sexy in July, but it climbs every winter hill.” The Martins learned the hard truth, which you can now learn for free:

Mark asked Mr. Chen, “But isn’t 18 SEER worse than my 22?” Their HVAC contractor, a smooth talker named Dave,

Here’s the twist the Martins missed: It’s like judging a winter coat by how well it works in a rainstorm.