Most Efficient Central Air Heat Pumps 2023: Best Brands and Models

Heat pump technology offers several advantages over traditional air conditioners, resistance heaters, and combustion furnaces.

XV18 Variable Speed heat pump

In cooling mode, heat pumps offer the same efficiency as the best air conditioners on the market.

In heating mode, heat pumps are 2-4 times more efficient than resistance heaters, and they can match the operating cost of gas heaters without the associated CO2 emissions from combustion.

A central heat pump can achieve even greater energy savings if you combine it with a solar panel system, so that the energy consumption can be offset by solar power generation. This is not a combination you can achieve with traditional furnaces since you cannot offset fuel consumption (whether it be natural gas, propane, or oil) with electricity generation.

If you’re looking for a central heat pump that offers high efficiency and top performance, the best starting point is the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient List.

In this buying guide, we will review some of the best heat pump models that are featured on the Energy Star Most Efficient list, and the typical operating costs you can expect when using them.

Average Cost To Install a Heat Pump? Typical Range: $6,430 - $12,470
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Stone Coated Steel Roofing Costs in 2023: Pros and Cons, ROI

If you are looking for a roofing system that offers a classic beauty of slate, clay tiles, or stylish shingles, but without the premium cost, then a stone-coated steel roof could be a sensible option for your home.

Gerard stone-coated steel-tile roof – Barrel Vault Profile

Cost

Materials: Stone-coated steel tiles, trim, and nails cost about $4.00 to $6.00 per square foot, depending on a particular profile and order size.

In the US, the top manufacturers of stone-coated metal roofing products are Gerard USA and DECRA.

Asphalt Shingles

$8,500
Average Cost
Metal Roof

$15,500
Average Cost
Flat Roof Membrane

$11,500
Average Cost

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Note that Boral Roofing has recently acquired a few top stone-coated steel roofing manufacturers including Gerard and Metro. As a result Gerard and Metro stone-coated steel tiles are now marketed under the Boral Steel brand.

Installation: On average, you can expect to pay between $10.50 to $18.50 per sq. ft. to install a stone-coated metal roof on a residential property. — The total cost installed includes all the materials, permitting, labor, and warranty.

Larger Context

For just a fraction of the cost slate or clay tiles, you can have a beautiful, long lasting roofing system that will provide superior protection for your home, with none of the structural disadvantages of other roofing materials.

To decide whether a stone-coated steel roof is right for you, consider the following features, benefits, and advantages:

Distinct Looks & Versatile Styles Stone coated steel roof on a custom home One of the reasons for the growing popularity of stone-coated steel roofs, is the wide variety of styles and designs available to homeowners who are looking to add some curb appeal to their home.

Advanced technology makes it possible to imitate the premium look of clay, slate or architectural shingle so closely, that it is nearly impossible to discern that the stone-coated tile is actually made of metal.

Panels of stone-coated steel roofs are formed into three profiles: shake, tile and shingle. In recent years, new tile designs that mirror the highly desirable look of Mediterranean clay tile have also become available to homeowners.

One very important advantage of a stone-coated steel roof is that it will continue looking fresh and new for many years to come without requiring any additional maintenance.

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Cedar Shingles & Shakes Roofing Costs, Plus Pros & Cons in 2023

Cedar shingles and shakes are a classic style of roofing that is often installed on Cape Cod style homes, especially in New England and around the greater Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Cedar roofs are also popular in the pacific Northwest including Oregon and Washington state.

via Inspirational Village

However, cedar roofs are not exclusive to New England and PNW. In fact, you can see wood shingle roofs anywhere across the US, especially in areas that land themselves nicely to the classic look of traditional roofing — think beach houses and/or homes nearby green/wooded areas, etc.

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