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Guide · OBC Air & Heat

Heat Pumps in Brevard: Do They Make Sense on the Space Coast?

A heat pump cools exactly like an AC and also heats. How it fits the Space Coast climate, what HSPF2 means, and when backup heat matters.

A heat pump is an air conditioner that can also heat

DOE explains it this way: a heat pump heats your home by collecting heat from outside and concentrating it indoors, and it "does double duty as a central air conditioner" by pumping indoor heat outside (DOE Energy Saver Guide).

In summer, a heat pump and a straight AC do the same job with the same basic parts: an outdoor unit, an indoor coil, refrigerant lines and a blower. The heat pump adds a valve that reverses the flow for heating.

How the Space Coast climate fits

Brevard is a cooling climate. Florida Climate Center normals (1991–2020) for the Melbourne station show about 3,402 cooling degree days a year and about 501 heating degree days (Florida Climate Center: Melbourne normals). Degree days measure how much heating or cooling weather a place gets, so here cooling demand is several times heating demand.

What that means for you:

  • Cooling efficiency matters most. Compare SEER2 ratings first. See SEER2 Explained.
  • Heating still matters a little. Brevard does get cool nights and occasional cold snaps, and a heat pump covers them.
  • Heat pumps can use less electricity for heat. DOE says heat pumps can reduce electricity use for heating by about 50% compared with electric furnaces or baseboard heaters. That matters most if your home heats with electric resistance today.

The ratings: SEER2 and HSPF2

A heat pump carries two efficiency ratings:

  • SEER2 for cooling. Higher is more efficient.
  • HSPF2 for heating. DOE: "The higher the HSPF rating, the less electrical energy your heat pump uses to heat your home."

Federal minimums since January 1, 2023, for split-system heat pumps are 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2 (DOE 2023 standards FAQ). ENERGY STAR certified split heat pumps must reach at least 15.2 SEER2, 11.0 EER2 and 7.8 HSPF2 (ENERGY STAR Heat Pump Specification v6.2).

One newer fact: since February 1, 2026, central air conditioners can no longer earn ENERGY STAR. Heat pumps still can (ENERGY STAR sunset notice). If the label matters to you, or to a rebate you're considering, that points toward a heat pump.

Backup heat: when it matters

Most ducted heat pumps include, or can add, electric-resistance backup heat (often called "heat strips") in the indoor air handler. It helps on the coldest mornings.

DOE's advice: don't manually set back a heat pump thermostat if doing so makes the backup electric-resistance heat come on, because "this type of heating is more expensive." Use a smart or programmable thermostat designed for heat pumps (DOE Energy Saver Guide). See our thermostat and humidity guide.

Whether you need backup heat, and how much, depends on your home's heating load. That's part of a proper load calculation. See Sizing an AC for Florida Humidity.

When a straight AC still makes sense

A heat pump isn't automatic. A straight AC can still fit when:

  • Your home already has gas heat you want to keep.
  • You almost never use heat and prefer a simpler system.
  • You're matching an existing indoor unit that a quote shows is in good shape.

We'll compare both in writing.

Ductless heat pumps

Ductless mini-splits come as heat pumps too. DOE calls ductless mini-split heat pumps air-source heat pumps that can go in homes or additions without ducts. They're a natural fit for additions, garages and enclosed Florida rooms. See Mini-Splits for Additions, Garages and Lanais.

Tax credits

The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit covered qualifying heat pumps installed through December 31, 2025, according to the IRS (IRS). Ask a tax professional about your situation. We don't give tax advice.

Homes and small businesses

Heat pumps work in single-family homes, condos and light commercial spaces such as small offices and shops. The same questions apply: how the building heats today, the ductwork and the load.

The next step

We look at the home or building, the current equipment and how you heat today. Then we quote heat pump and AC options side by side, in writing. See heat pumps.

Firefighters, law enforcement, EMS and paramedics, healthcare workers, teachers, ministry, government employees and military (active and veterans) can get 10% off the total, up to $2,500, on new units and repairs through our Local Heroes program. Family members of eligible heroes qualify too. It can't be combined with other offers.

Frequently asked questions

Is a heat pump or an air conditioner better in Florida?

Both cool the same way. A heat pump can also heat, and DOE says it can use about half the electricity of electric furnaces or baseboard heat. On the Space Coast, a heat pump is often a strong fit. The right choice depends on your current heat source, ductwork and goals.

Does a heat pump cool as well as an AC?

Yes. In cooling mode it works the same way as a central air conditioner. Compare cooling efficiency with SEER2.

What is HSPF2?

HSPF2 is a heat pump's heating efficiency rating under DOE's current test. Higher is better. The federal minimum for split heat pumps is 7.5 HSPF2, and ENERGY STAR requires at least 7.8.

Do I need backup heat in Brevard County?

It depends on your home's heating load. Many ducted heat pumps include electric backup heat for the coldest mornings. DOE advises avoiding thermostat setbacks that trigger it, because it costs more to run.

Can central air conditioners still get ENERGY STAR?

No. EPA ended the central AC specification on February 1, 2026. Air-source heat pumps can still be ENERGY STAR certified.

Are mini-splits heat pumps?

Many are. DOE describes ductless mini-split heat pumps as air-source heat pumps for homes or additions without ducts.

Sources

  1. DOE Energy Saver Guide
  2. Florida Climate Center: Melbourne normals
  3. DOE 2023 standards FAQ
  4. ENERGY STAR Heat Pump Specification v6.2
  5. ENERGY STAR sunset notice
  6. IRS

Written by OBC Air & Heat, Space Coast, Brevard County, FL. State Certified Air Conditioning Contractor, License No. CAC1825377. General information only; your system and home are reviewed before any recommendation.

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