When it comes time to replace your worn out furnace and air conditioner, it can be stressful to decide on the right replacement. There are many heating and cooling options on the market today. You could always have your old furnace and air conditioning unit replaced with an exact replication. However, if you want to find a more long-term, cost-effective and energy-efficient option for your Springdale household, you might consider making the switch to a heat pump.

A heat pump, which can both heat and cool your household, is considered one of the most energy-saving heating options for moderate winters. However, because temperatures can hover below 30 degrees for extended periods of time in the Springdale area, using a secondary heater alongside the heat pump, as in a dual fuel hybrid heating system, is a good idea. A hybrid system can be very cost effective. While a heat pump's up-front costs may be higher than other market options, it can significantly reduce your utility bills in the long run.

When you're choosing a heat pump for your home, it's important to pay attention to ratings, reflected by the heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) and its seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). HSPF measures a unit's efficiency in its heating mode, with a larger HSPF value indicating a more efficient machine. SEER measures a unit's efficiency in its cooling mode.

New technologies developed by industry giants like Bryant have created more efficient heat pumps than ever before. For example, many new models have features that can sense whether or not a heat pump will be able to maintain effective heating in a home when temperatures drop below its balance point. If the heat pump can remain effective, it will keep the unit running, allowing you to continue saving more on your home heating bills.

To learn more about whether a heat pump would work for your Springdale home, or to learn about other energy-saving HVAC products and solutions, contact your neighborhood experts at Tri-County Heating & Cooling.