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December 15th, 2022
Let’s talk about heat pumps.
During the 1970s oil crisis, homeowners were facing their own crisis: The price of oil skyrocketed. By 1981, the price of gasoline had jumped from about $.36 per gallon in 1970 to $1.31 per gallon in 1981. As a result of the crisis, the heat pump became a more popular choice for heating and cooling homes because they used electricity instead of fossil fuel.
But heat pumps had a bit of a stigma attached to them for decades. They could cool your home adequately, but the heat – especially when the outdoor temperature was 40 degrees or less – felt “cool.” They simply could not generate enough warmth to keep a home comfortable.
Times change, and technology yields improvements. Now there are two major types of heat pumps on the market: the traditional ones sit outside and connect through your furnace or air handler to the air ducts.
The second variety is ductless mini-splits, which have an outside unit, but the heat comes through indoor units typically mounted on the wall.
Both of these types are super-efficient. But which brand/model will best suit your needs?
Here at Fire & Ice, we trust Carrier products because of their long record of delivering quality HVAC equipment. The Carrier Comfort 15 (aka model number 25HBC5) heat pump is a reliable source of cooling and heat. If you are shopping for heat pumps, it might be ideal.
We’ll cover:
- Efficiency of the Carrier Comfort 15 Heat Pump
- Benefits of the Comfort 15 Heat Pump
- Features of the Comfort 15 Heat Pump
- What Equipment Can I Pair with the Comfort 15 Heat Pump?
- What Is the Correct Size Heat Pump For Your Home?
- Who’s the Right Fit for the Carrier Heat Pump?
- Who’s Not a Right Fit for the Carrier Heat Pump?
- What Is the Cost of a Comfort 15 Heat Pump?
- And Finally, What Are the Next Steps?
After reading this article you will have a better understanding of whether this model is right for you.
Video: How Does a Heat Pump Work? https://vimeo.com/703407036
How Efficient Is the Comfort Carrier 15 Heat Pump?
The Comfort 15 (25hbc5) heat pump is designed simply to be reliable, efficient, and affordable. It provides up to 16.0 SEER, an EER of 12.5, and a rating of 8.5 HSPF. Let’s go over what those numbers mean.
How Are Heat Pumps Rated for Efficiency?
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The SEER rating of a unit is the cooling output during a typical cooling season divided by the total electric energy input during the same period. The higher the unit’s SEER rating, the higher the energy efficiency.
New cooling units must have a rating of at least 13 SEER, and most have a rating between 13 and 21.
The Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of an HVAC cooling device is the ratio of output energy to input electrical energy, and is normally calculated with a 95 °F outside temperature and an inside temperature of 80 °F.
A 12.5 EER rating is an excellent energy-efficiency rating for an air conditioner.
HSPF stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. The higher the rating, the more efficient the heat pump. An HSPF of eight or above is considered high efficiency.
For a system to be granted the Energy Star badge of approval, the SEER has to exceed 14.5. For optimal cooling efficiency, look for SEER ratings of 16-18. Energy Star-qualified models require an HSPF of at least 8.2.
The verdict: The Comfort Carrier 15 exceeds all of the Energy Star standards for efficiency. This means that this piece of equipment runs without using excessive electricity. If you’re replacing your existing unit with this one, and you use the new heat pump with the same frequency as you did the old one, you’ll notice a drop in your energy bills.
Read more: Indoor Air Quality: HVAC Humidity Problems & Solutions
What Are the Features of the Carrier Comfort 15 Heat Pump?
This is a single-stage unit. That means the heat pump is either fully, 100% on, or it’s off. This is tried-and-true technology that’s been in place for decades. That assures steady, reliable performance.
In the winter, your furnace or air handler equipped with heat strips will provide additional heat when the heat pump can’t quite keep up.
The WeatherArmor coating provides durability with a galvanized steel cabinet. It also has a wire coil guard and baked-on powder paint to protect against dings, dents, and weather-based threats.
The sound level is as low as 69 dBA. (A normal conversation is about 60 dBA.) Older heat pumps will be significantly louder as parts wear down. You should notice the difference between your new, quiet heat pump over your existing one.
This heat pump is dual-fuel capable. Dual fuel means that you use an electric heat pump with a gas (or propane or oil) furnace. You are using two heating sources that alternate between two different types of fuel. The right thermostat will make the switch for you, saving you the decision-making process.
What Equipment Can I Pair with the Carrier Comfort 15 Heat Pump?
You may have heard of the term “equipment matching” or how equipment needs to “rate.” It means that the different pieces of equipment in your HVAC system need to be compatible with one another. This usually pertains to your furnace, air conditioner, and thermostat.
The 25HBC5 will work best with a single-stage thermostat and a single-stage furnace or air handler. A variable-speed fan in your furnace will still be able to distribute heat, but you won’t get any of the benefits it can provide.
This is why it’s important to talk to an HVAC professional before you decide on a new piece of equipment. They can talk about the different specifications of your current system and whether or not a replacement or addition will work well. Some configurations may not even work at all, and then you’re back to square one in the buying process.
What Is the Correct Size Heat Pump For Your Home?
When we look at the price range for a specific model, the capacity you need helps determines the price. A heat pump’s capacity is frequently referred to as “size.” It determines how efficiently your system can heat and cool your home.
If your system is oversized, it will cool and heat quickly, then shut off. It struggles to maintain the ideal indoor temperature. This can result in temperature spikes. For example, it might bounce between 72 and 68 degrees constantly.
It also means it runs for a short time. And when your heat pump has a shorter runtime, you can lose comfort. The areas at the end of your ductwork likely won’t be as cool as the space where your thermostat is located. A longer runtime helps mix the air throughout your home.
Conversely, if your system is undersized, it’ll run much longer than it should as it struggles to reach the set temperature. This can result in uneven temperatures. Certain rooms may feel great, but others may be uncomfortable.
Your HVAC salesperson should properly size the inside of your home before installation takes place. Professional sizing comes by way of a Manual J Load Calculation.
This is not just the square footage of a home. Unfortunately, square footage alone was the old way of doing things, and some installers still subscribe to it. Make sure your estimate includes a full load calculation.
Read more: Sizing Your Air Conditioner, Heat Pump, and Furnace
A Manual J Load Calculation is a series of mathematical measurements that include different parameters of your home, including the number and type of windows, the house’s orientation (southward-facing homes get more sun than eastward or westward), insulation, and size. Both the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and the Department of Energy state that you should perform this calculation.
Who’s the Right Fit for This Carrier Heat Pump?
The Carrier Comfort 15 heat pump is a great fit for a homeowner who has a single-stage heat pump that’s 10-15 years old and is looking for an upgrade. This will help ensure comfort throughout your home in any season.
If you’re mostly satisfied with how your current unit performed, and just want a newer one, the Comfort 15’s price tag puts it in the middle range of heat pumps. It’s affordable and reliable, and should provide great heat and cool for 10 years - sometimes even more. (Heat pumps don’t last as long as air conditioners or furnaces because they run in the summer and the winter.
Who’s Not a Right Fit for This Carrier Heat Pump?
They are a host of comfort concerns an HVAC salesperson will discuss with you during an estimate. Is the upstairs too hot or too cold? Have additions been made to the home since the last HVAC system was installed? Are allergies an issue for one or more members of your family? Is there excess humidity in the summer, or does the winter air lead to cracked woodwork?
Any of these problems can be addressed through your HVAC system, and it’s up to you to decide if a problem is problematic. A variable-speed heat pump has a fan that can operate at different speeds. That can help with excess humidity, dryness, and problem areas of your home. The trade-off is they are considerably more expensive.
If you plan on moving soon, the Carrier Comfort 15 is a better investment than a more expensive model, which can help with fuel bills, but you won’t reap the benefits quickly enough to offset the initial cost.
Read more: Heat Pumps 101: The Ultimate List of Heat Pump FAQs
What Is the Cost of a Carrier Comfort 15 Heat Pump?
The Carrier Comfort 15 heat pump (25HBC5) heat pump costs between $4,100 - $7,100. Our price includes labor, parts, installation, and modifications needed to be made to your duct system. The size of your home will also be a major variable in terms of how much this heat pump will cost. The larger the home, the larger the capacity of the heat pump will need to be, the higher the price.
Read More: How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost to Replace in 2023?
Buying a Heat Pump in Columbus, Ohio
By now, you should know a few things: what makes the Carrier Comfort 15 different, whether it might be the right furnace for you, and what the next steps are to finding your perfect system.
If you live in Columbus, Ohio, or the surrounding area, your last step is to contact us to schedule your free, no-pressure estimate. You’ll get the exact pricing and a variety of recommendations to match your budget and comfort needs.
