Heat pump buyer’s guide: How to choose a brand to install in your home in 2024

Don’t be fooled by the name: a heat pump doesn’t just pump heat into your home. Instead, it’s an HVAC system that uses refrigerant and a compressor to move heat throughout your home. Whereas a furnace ignites gas to increase the temperature, a heat pump uses electricity and the principles of equilibrium to regulate your home’s climate. Simply put, in the summer, a heat pump moves warm air outside and cool air inside, and in the winter, it does the inverse.

Because they regulate temperatures rather than actively heat or cool, the best heat pumps are highly energy-efficient and can be more cost-effective than installing both central air and furnace heating in your home. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that, as of 2020, about 13% of American homes use heat pumps, which are about as common in low-income households as in higher-income ones.

Why we picked Bryant

Although it’s a subsidiary of Carrier (which also appears on this list), our team ranked Bryant higher when it comes to heat pumps. For one, Bryant offers more affordable models that appeal to almost every price point. Additionally, nearly all of Bryant’s heat pumps are Energy Star-certified and reach a SEER rating of up to 23 while operating as quietly as 51 decibels (dB). Finally, all of Bryant’s heat pumps come with a 10-year parts and compressor warranty, provided you register within 90 days of purchase.

Bryant products are compatible with smart thermostats, including ones they make themselves, giving you even greater control over your home climate regardless of whether you’re home.

With an outstanding warranty, a reputation for reliability, and some of the more affordable heat pumps on the market, Bryant is our top heat pump brand for 2024.

Who should use Bryant

Bryant offers heat pumps that fit just about any budget. If you’re more concerned with lowering your upfront and maintenance costs than saving the maximum amount on your energy bill, Bryant is an excellent choice for you.

Pros and cons of Bryant

Pros

Cons

Why we picked Ruud

In business since the late 19th century, Ruud is one of the country’s oldest heating and cooling brands. Over 100 years of operation, it has built a reputation for reliable products and earned an A+ BBB rating. The company built its first heat pump model in 1970 and today offers a wide variety of options for any home or budget, especially ductless models.

Although Ruud’s top-end models don’t have the same max efficiency as some other brands, eight of its ductless mini-split options and most of its ducted heat pump systems have the Energy Star label.

All of Ruud’s heating and cooling products can be backed up with a 10-year limited parts warranty if you upgrade to the Protection Plus plan.

Who should use Ruud

Homeowners with older homes who don’t want to spend an arm and a leg to install ducts will find a range of quality options among Ruud’s ductless mini-split heat pumps.

Pros and cons of Ruud

Pros

Cons

Why we picked Lennox

Lennox is one of the best-known heat pump and air conditioner brands. It has operated for over a century and has developed a reputation as one of the most recognized and respected HVAC companies in the country. Lennox also has an A+ BBB rating.

Lennox is a higher-end brand; its price points and maintenance costs reflect that. It’s one of just a few companies to offer dual-fuel heat pumps that pair an air-source pump with a gas furnace to increase efficiency in the coldest temperatures. Innovations typically require proprietary parts, and as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Lennox’s parts replacements can be pricey.

Lennox offers a five-year parts and compressor warranty for lower-end products and a 10-year warranty for higher-end products that can help offset those maintenance costs.

Who should use Lennox

Heat pumps can be less efficient in extreme cold temperatures, so companies like Lennox have introduced dual-fuel heat pumps. If you live in a frigid climate or you have the budget for some of the highest-end products on the market, Lennox is a good choice.

Pros and cons of Lennox

Pros

Cons

Why we picked Carrier

Carrier, another high-end heat pump brand, has a slightly weaker consumer reputation than its chief competitors, with an A- BBB rating. Like Lennox, Carrier offers heat pumps at a variety of price points, but none of them could be considered “budget” compared to brands like Bryant and Ruud.

You do, however, essentially get what you pay for. All Carrier dealers and installers are certified by the brand itself, so they’re uniquely qualified to install and maintain Carrier products.

All Carrier models utilize Ideal Humidity System? technology to help reduce humidity indoors. When you pair its ductless heat pumps with indoor units, you can reach extraordinary SEER ratings of up to 42. (Unfortunately, that requires buying multiple products, and Carrier’s heat pumps only hit a max SEER rating of 18 without additional products.)

Unlike most heat pump brands, Carrier offers 5-year parts and 3-year labor warranties, which can greatly reduce maintenance costs since most warranties don’t cover labor. You can also opt for a more traditional 10-year parts warranty.

Who should use Carrier

If reliability and longevity are your primary concerns when shopping for a heat pump, Carrier’s Authorized Dealer program and Consumer Choice warranties offer peace of mind that although you’re paying more upfront, you’ll have a reliable heat pump in place for years to come. Customers in humid climates will also appreciate Carrier’s moisture-reducing technology.

Pros and cons of Carrier

Pros

Cons

Why we picked Trane

Trane is one of the most expensive HVAC brands in the country, but it’s also one of the most trusted. American consumers surveyed by Lifestory Research have rated it the most trustworthy HVAC brand for 10 consecutive years.

But that price tag. Trane advertises that its top-end XL17i can cost up to $17,600 to install while returning just 45% more energy savings than a SEER 10 model. It may be one of the best heat pumps for large homes, but you’ll certainly pay for it.

Trane heat pumps may be expensive, but they have an outstanding reputation for durability. The top-line products are eligible for an industry-leading 12-year parts and compressor warranty that also includes labor. You pay for that warranty, but should anything go wrong, you’ll have the most extensive coverage offered by any of the best heat pump brands.

Who should use Trane

Trane products are known for durability and are backed by industry-leading warranties. Trane gives you great products backed by an excellent warranty if you have the budget and square footage to justify a high-end, powerful heat pump.

Pros and cons of Trane

Pros

Cons

Our picks at a glance

What didn’t make the cut

Heat pump vs. air conditioner: What’s the difference?

Although the name sounds like it pumps heat inside like an air conditioner blows cool air, a heat pump and an air conditioner are quite different. The primary difference is that air conditioners only cool while heat pumps can both heat and cool.

Heat pumps move air from one place to another to achieve a pre-set, comfortable inside temperature. An air conditioner, on the other hand, just blows cool air. If you want to warm your house in colder seasons, you’ll need to pair an air conditioner with a furnace. A heat pump is a complete heating and cooling system on its own.

Heat pump efficiency

Heat pumps are one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool your home. Today’s heat pumps can reach 300% to 400% efficiency, meaning they put out three to four times as much energy than electricity they consume. That’s a major reason why more than 30 countries worldwide (including the United States) offer incentives for homeowners to install heat pumps in their homes.

What are good SEER and HSPF2 ratings for heat pumps?

Heat pump efficiency is commonly measured in SEER and HSPF ratings. A SEER rating is a ratio calculated by dividing the cooling output of a system over an average cooling season by the total energy used. HSPF2, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, is a testing procedure administered by the Department of Energy (DOE) that specifically measures heat pump efficiency.

As of 2023, the DOE requires all split-system heat pumps to have an HSPF2 of 7.5 or higher and all single-packaged heat pumps to have an HSPF2 of 6.7 or higher. To earn the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star label, a heat pump must have an HSPF2 of 8.2 or higher and a SEER rating of 14 or higher.

Do you need the most efficient heat pump?

The nice thing about heat pumps is that they’re efficient by nature. Simply putting one in is likely more efficient than a traditional HVAC system with air conditioning and a furnace. While you’ll save more in the long run by purchasing a heat pump with higher efficiency scores, springing for the highest-cost model is unnecessary unless your local electricity is exorbitantly expensive.

Heat pump buying guide: 8 factors you should consider

When shopping for heat pumps, keep these factors in mind to help you decide which model may be best for you.

Cost

Cost is an essential consideration for any home purchase. Major companies like Lennox and Carrier offer financing to help lessen the sticker shock of installing a $5,000+ piece of equipment, but Bryant and Ruud are better options for small budgets.

Efficiency

More efficient products will save you money and reduce your carbon footprint over time.

A heat pump must have an HSPF2 of 8.2 or higher and a SEER rating of 14 or higher to earn the Energy Star label. Every brand I’ve included in this story offers options with outstanding efficiency.

Maintenance and warranty

A broken heat pump can quickly lead to an uncomfortable home. After all, it’s responsible for regulating your entire home’s temperature. As such, you want to purchase a reliable product from the best heat pump brands. Most companies offer extended warranties to cover regular maintenance and replacement parts as long as you register your product.

Carrier’s Consumer Choice warranty gives you some flexibility to cover maintenance labor costs, while Trane’s parts and compressor warranties are the longest in the industry.

Noise range

Heat pumps operate more quietly than central air conditioning units, as quiet as 40 dB, which is about the noise level you could expect in a library. Generally, heat pumps aren’t very loud, but some are certainly louder than others, so if you don’t want to hear a light drone in the back of your head, opt for a quieter model.

Size

Heat pumps aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. You’ll need a bigger heat pump for a larger home, and bigger heat pumps tend to cost more. Generally speaking, for every 500 square feet of living space, you’ll want 1 ton of air conditioning capacity.

Type of heat pump

The most common type of heat pump is an air-source heat pump, which can be both ducted and ductless. These work by heating or cooling air using a refrigerant pumped to the outdoors and cooled or warmed by the outside air.

Geothermal heat pumps use the ground beneath and around a structure, rather than using outside air, to heat and cool the inside. The temperature is relatively consistent when you dig into the ground a few feet. Therefore, that air can be used to moderate a home’s temperature efficiently. Since you’ll have to excavate, geothermal tends to be more expensive than buying an air-source heat pump.

Absorption heat pumps are like air-source heat pumps but rather than use electricity, they’re powered by an alternative heat source, like gas or solar energy.

How to save money on a new heat pump

Like many energy-efficient home additions, heat pumps are eligible for many federal and local tax rebates. Through 2032, homeowners can save up to $3,200 annually on their taxes for making energy-efficient home upgrades. That includes being able to save 30% off — up to $2,000 — the cost of installing a residential heat pump.

Many states and municipalities offer additional tax credits or rebates. Using the Energy Star Rebate Finder, you can search over 3,500 rebates and incentive programs that may save you money on heat pump installation.

There isn’t an off-season when it comes to heat pumps, but the HVAC contractors who install your heat pump do have an off-season. The best time to get an HVAC contractor out to your home is generally in the spring or fall, outside of the coldest and hottest months of the year. You could save a few dollars in installation fees by scheduling the work then.

Methodology

Our list of the best heat pump brands was derived from a data-based ranking system based on seven categories.

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