How Much Energy Does a Heat Pump Use in Dallas, TX?

If you’re sick of your ancient furnace and air conditioner costing you a fortune every year, making the switch to a heat pump can feel quite appealing. Heat pumps do use less energy than other types of HVAC units, but “less” doesn’t mean “none.”

Exactly how much energy does a heat pump use? Learn more below, or find out the specs when you call us for heating services in Dallas, TX.

How Much Energy Does a Heat Pump Use? Your Average Heat Pump Electricity Consumption Explained

According to the Department of Energy, an average-sized heat pump in a typical-sized home uses about 5,475 kilowatt hours each year. Heat pumps can use anywhere from 400 to 22,500 kWh, which is significantly lower, even at its higher limit.

Why is there such a big range for heat pump energy usage? Let’s explore the factors affecting heat pump power consumption below.

The Size of the Heat Pump

The bigger your home, the larger your heat pump will need to be to keep the living space comfortable. Heat pumps come in several sizes ranging from one to five tons. As you might expect, larger heat pumps need more power.

If you have a small home, you can get by with a 1-ton, 12,000-BTU unit. For medium to large homes, a 2-ton, 24,000-BTU heat pump will be better.

Buying a heat pump of three to five tons may seem like a good idea, but in a mild climate like Dallas, overkill will cost you. In Texas, most people simply don’t need a heat pump that powerful to stay comfortable.

The Type of Heat Pump

How much energy does a heat pump use? There are a few different types of heat pumps, each with its own energy requirements. 

Air-to-air heat pumps are the most common in Dallas. These units gather warmth from the air and use it to heat your home. In the summer, air flows across a coil in your ductwork to provide cooling.

Ground-source heat pumps, also called geothermal units, are super-efficient options. These units bury a pipe that contains antifreeze and water. This solution absorbs warmth from the ground and passes it to a heat exchanger indoors.

Other less common types include air-to-water, water-to-water, and water-to-air heat pumps. You can ask our HVAC professionals at Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating about which is best for your Dallas home.

The Local Climate in Dallas, Texas

Your local climate plays a big part in how often your heat pump runs and how efficient it is. Generally, heat pumps work best in places with mild climates – like Dallas. Here, your system doesn’t have to work as hard to heat and cool your home.

If you lived in a colder area, it might be a different story. Heat pump operating costs for homeowners in cold climates can be quite high. Many also opt to install a separate furnace to take some of the load off their heat pump.

The Heat Pump Energy Efficiency Ratings

How much energy does a heat pump use? When purchasing a heat pump, pay attention to the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and Coefficient of Performance ratings. 

• The SEER rating tells you how efficient a unit is at cooling.
• The COP rating measures a system’s ability to convert energy into heat. 

The higher these ratings are, the better. Look for a heat pump with a COP rating of at least 250% for the best efficiency. Comparatively, gas furnaces have a COP of about 80%, and electric ones around 100%. 

Heat pump SEER ratings start at 15 and go up to 21.

The Home’s Weatherization

If you want to lower your residential heat pump energy use, you’ll need to give it a helping hand. Weatherizing your home includes:

• Sealing leaks around windows and doors with weatherstripping.
• Installing double-pane windows that prevent less air from escaping your home.
• Adding high-quality insulation to your walls and ceilings.
• Ensuring that your air ducts are clean and in good condition.

Want more tips for weatherizing your home? Give our HVAC team a call.