Photo from Dunklee Cooling and Heating
Have you ever wondered if your home is too hot or cold? The answer might surprise you. A heat pump, also called a unit air conditioner, can help fix this problem by providing both heating and cooling for different seasons.
It's not just about keeping the comfort level consistent throughout all day; it helps save on energy costs as well thanks to its ability to regulate temperature more efficiently.
The American Standard is a leading manufacturer of heat pumps. This American Standard heat pump review will look at the various types of pumps that this manufacturer makes, the multiple uses of a heat pump, and the factors that influence the price of a new pump.
What to Expect From an American Standard Heat Pump
Apart from heating up and cooling your home, an American Standard heat pump can serve other purposes. When you want to control the humidity level in your house, you can pair your heat pump with the humidifier or dehumidifier. In addition, your heat pump could be made to work with the gas furnace, thereby creating a hybrid heating unit.
Hybrid heating units deliver significant fuel efficiency and, despite the huge expense you might have incurred getting your heat pump, the long-term energy savings will be substantial. However, before pairing your heat pump with the furnace or humidifier, you need to be sure that the gadgets are compatible as incompatible units cannot be counted on to deliver the energy efficiencies you could be looking for.
American Standard Heat Pump Life Expectancy and Warranties
Your American Standard heat pump is expected to last for fifteen years. However, this life expectancy could be curtailed when you don't service the pump well. Conversely, you could increase your pump's useful years by scheduling regular maintenance. A pump's life expectancy will also be influenced by how you use it and the weather conditions in your area. American Standard heat pumps come with a twelve-year warranty on parts.
American Standard Heat Pump Reviews
American Standard heat pumps are available in three series – platinum, gold, and silver. The classification, and hence the prices, is based on the heat pumps' efficiency based on their SEER and HSPF ratings. Heat pump manufacturers use these ratings to indicate the efficiency of a pump.
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it shows how efficient a heat pump is in cooling. SEER measurements range from 14 to 20. HSPF stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, and as the name suggests, it's used to measure the pump's efficiency when heating. HSPF ratings range from 7.7 to10. The higher these ratings are, the more efficient the pump is.
The three series of American Standard heat pumps vary in features and prices.
The three models in the platinum range are:
AccuComfort Platinum 20
The AccuComfort 20 has several distinctive features that set it apart from other heat pumps. The term AccuComfort tells you that this pump is fitted with American Standard's variable-capacity compressor. Variable-capacity compressors are better than the one-stage or two-stage compressors that you'll find in most of the pumps in the market as they ensure that your pump performs at the precise capacity you require.
With its SEER at 20 and its HSPF at 10, this pump is guaranteed to provide perfect cooling and heating efficiency. While this is a product that requires a substantial capital outlay, it'll pay for itself in the long run as its energy efficiency means you'll pay less for your electricity.
The Platinum 20 is also smart-home ready. It comes equipped with American Standard's AccuLink thermostat, which you can control with a mobile device along with other home appliances and devices. That means that you can control the temperature from wherever you are. While some pumps cause discomfort by generating too much noise, the Platinum 20 has an insulated body and operates almost anonymously.
While there's so much going for the Platinum 20, a crucial factor to remember before purchasing is that the compressor is proprietary. If the compressor should fail, you'll have to wait for a replacement from American Standard. On the other hand, you could save both time and money when repairing your pump if you bought a pump that uses a universal compressor.
Pros
- Maximum cooling and heating efficiency courtesy of its high SEER and HSPF
- Guarantees lower energy bills
- It can be controlled with a mobile device
- Operates quietly
Cons
- Pricey when compared with other pumps
- The proprietary compressor might mean higher repair bills.
AccuComfort Platinum 19
Like the Platinum 20, the AccuComfort Platinum 19 has a variable-capacity compressor. With SEER and HSPF at 19.5 and 11.5, respectively, this is one pump that is guaranteed to provide excellent cooling and heating and therefore save energy.
While most pumps would struggle to operate in areas prone to frost, the Platinum 19 will work efficiently in such conditions courtesy of its defrost control feature. When the electrical elements inside a house are defrosted, they work more efficiently, ensuring additional energy savings. The Platinum 19 also operates noiselessly, and the maximum noise you can expect when it's working at its peak is about 54 decibels.
Pros and Cons
In addition to its defrost control ability, the Platinum 19 has similar pros and cons to the Platinum 20.
AccuComfort Platinum 18
The AccuComfort Platinum 18 has similar features to the Platinum 19 and 20 but few important exceptions. First, it has a lower SEER at 18, but its HSPF is 10. Secondly, unlike the other two models in this series which are known to work quietly, the Platinum 18 produces more noise, and at its height of operation, the noise level could reach 76 decibels.
While the above differences are minor and do not make this pump less appealing than the other platinum pumps, some factors make it very attractive. The cost of installing a Platinum 18 pump is substantially lower than the costs associated with the other two models.
Gold 17
In the second tier of American Standard heat pumps is the Gold 17 model. This is a two-stage compressor pump with SEER and HSPA of 17 and 9.6, respectively. The pump's high cooling and heating capacities make it a great energy-saver. Compared to the pumps in the platinum series, the Gold 17 costs less and attracts lower installation expenses.
If weight and portability are vital for you, you should consider investing in this pump as it's much lighter than the platinum pumps. However, the lightness of the pump does not compromise quality as it's made with steel panels to ensure durability.
While this is a reliable and efficient pump, it emits noise levels to reach 75 decibels.
Pros
- High SEER ensures pump efficiency
- Portable
- Reasonably priced for the quality
- Steel-panel construction guarantees durability
Cons
- Noise levels could prove uncomfortable
Silver 16
Leading the silver series of American Standard heat pumps is the efficient and compact Silver 16, ideal for people with limited space. Despite being fitted with a single-stage compressor, this pump's cooling and heating abilities are at 17 SEER and 9.6 HSPF.
To ensure efficiency when operating at high temperatures, the pump is fitted with a noise-reduction mechanism and produces very little noise.
Pros
- Requires little space
- Highly portable
- Reasonable energy savings courtesy of it SEER
- Produces little noise
Cons
- High installation costs
Silver 15
The Silver 15 is also a single-stage compressor pump but has lower SEER and HSPF at 16 and 9.5, respectively. These energy efficiency features are outstanding, especially considering that the Silver 15 could be regarded as a budget product in the heat pumps industry. The pump is also light and compact, making it very portable. The noise produced when the pump is working at its maximum capacity is minimal.
Pros
- Highly portable
- Reasonable energy efficiency
- Reasonably-priced
- Produces little noise
Cons
- Concerns about pump durability
Silver 14
With 14.5 SEER and 8.5 HSPF, the Silver 14 is another lightweight and compact American Standard Heat pump made for people with limited space. Whether you're looking for a heat pump for your condo or small hotel, this is one pump that will provide the energy efficiency needs you want. Compared with other pumps, the Silver 14 costs little, but on the downside, it might lead to higher electricity costs in the long term.
Pros
- Compact and portable
- Budget product
- Easy to operate
Cons
- It could prove costly in the long term through high electricity bills
Conclusion
A heat pump is a massive investment, and careful forethought is necessary before you buy. As this American Standard heat pump review has shown, there are many factors to take into account.
The series and model of the pump will make a difference, and you should also be aware that the installation process could alter the price substantially. Other factors that have a definite influence on the price include the size of your house and the effect of any rebates that you might qualify for. To get a reasonable estimate of the total cost, you're best off talking to a dealer who's knowledgeable in heat pump installation.