Heat Pump Efficiency Ratings Explained: SEER, EER, HSPF, and COP

Table of Contents

• What SEER Rating Do I Need in Canada?
• What Is a Good COP for a Heat Pump?
• What Is the HSPF Rating in Canada?
• What Is Considered a Good EER Rating?
• Expert Guidance at Your Fingertips

While shopping for a heat pump or evaluating the best heating system for your house, you will inevitably encounter terms such as SEER, EER, COP, and HSPF. All these terms refer to specific ratios that rate the heat pump’s efficiency. These can seem very technical, but knowing which ratings are considered more efficient will ultimately help you choose the heat pump that works best for you.

What SEER Rating Do I Need in Canada?

The SEER is defined as the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It’s the ratio between the cooling device’s performance in BTU/hr (BTU stands for British Thermal Unit) and the energy consumed in Watt/hr. The SEER rating represents a device’s global performance for a specific location’s regional climate.

The higher the SEER, the less energy that device consumes. Investing in a higher SEER will help you save on energy bills. For example, a heat pump of 16 SEER will be more expensive than a 14 SEER, but the price difference will pay for itself in the long run. As of 2023, the minimum SEER authorized in Canada is 15 SEER.

SEER2 rating is a new and updated version of the SEER rating. In its calculation, it includes the energy needed for heating, making it a more realistic and accurate rating system for heat pumps. Just like for SEER, the higher the number, the better. A good SEER2 will be at least 14.3, which is the minimum authorized.

What Is a Good COP for a Heat Pump?

A good COP for a heat pump will be between 3.0 and 5.0. The highest COP for a heat pump is 8.8, but this is measured in ideal conditions, which do not happen much in real life. For normal use, the highest COP achievable is around 4.5.

The acronym refers to the Coefficient of Performance and measures heating. It’s a ratio of energy consumed to the quantity of heating produced by a device, like a heat pump.

The COP is calculated according to different outdoor temperatures. Manufacturers generally specify COPs calculated at 8.3°C (47°F), 0°C (32°F), -8.3°C (17°F), and -15°C (5°F). That’s the maximum heating power (in kWh) divided by the device’s energy consumption (in kWh). As outdoor temperatures influence COP, it’s expected that a heat pump will have a lower COP in colder temperatures.

The higher the COP, the less energy the heat pump will use. If your device has a COP of 3, the heat pump generates 3 kW of heat into your home for every kW of energy consumed. This means that heat pumps can reach 300% to 400% efficiency or even higher.

What Is the HSPF Rating in Canada?

HSPF refers to the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. It’s the energy efficiency of a device per season of heating.

HSPF is the ratio of energy consumption to the quantity of heat produced. It is calculated by dividing the amount of heat generated throughout a season (in BTU/hr) and the electricity consumed (in kWh) by the unit within the same season.

The higher the HSPF rating of a heat pump, the less energy the unit consumes, so the better it is. In Canada, the range in terms of HSPF is between 7.1 and 13.2. These are averaged based on a climate such as the one in Ottawa. An HSPF of 8 to 12 is considered good.

HSPF2 factor is based on the same ratio as HSPF, but the testing conditions are stricter. When it comes to HSPF2, a good unit would be rated at 9 or higher. To obtain an HSPF to HSPF2 conversion, you can multiply the HSPF by 0.89.

What Is Considered a Good EER Rating?

EER stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is a ratio of energy efficiency for air conditioners and heat pumps.

The EER is calculated with an exterior temperature of 35°C, an interior temperature of 26°C and a humidity factor of 50%. It’s the cold created in BTU/hr, divided by the energy consumed in Watt/hr.

The EER is mainly used by technicians to obtain real-time data on an air conditioning device’s performance without having to account for temperature changes from season to season.

The higher the EER, the less energy that device consumes. For example, if a device has an EER of 4, that means that for every kW consumed, the air conditioner puts out 4. An EER rating must be of at least 8 to be considered good. A good EER rating for an AC would be 8.5 or higher. To be certified by Energy Star, the unit must be at least 10.7 EER. The highest EER rating is 45.

Expert Guidance at Your Fingertips

Knowing the different rating systems will allow you to make better choices regarding heating systems.

This energy converter will help you convert EER into COP and SEER or vice versa.

Contact MST to ensure you choose the proper cooling or heating unit for your needs and comfort preferences.

Our technicians are experienced in considering all the factors needed to suggest the appropriate heat pump for your needs.

We will ensure your device’s safe and complete installation according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Your comfort is our priority!