3 Questions You Should Ask About Heat Pumps

Replacing your HVAC system is one of the biggest decisions you have to make as a homeowner. There’s a plethora of options out there, and they all have unique pros and cons depending on your personal values and what your home needs.

But did you know that there’s a single, highly efficient appliance that can both heat and cool your home, while also saving you money and reducing your environmental impact? Meet the air-source heat pump – an excellent option to consider for your home.

In this month’s blog, we look at three questions to ask to find out whether a heat pump is the right choice when you need to upgrade your HVAC system:

1. How does a heat pump both heat and cool my home?

Unlike a standard AC unit or a gas furnace, the heat pump does the job of two appliances. In cooler weather, a heat pump draws air from outside the home, capturing heat energy even in lower temperatures. An air compressor then raises the temperature of this air and distributes it inside the home. In cooling mode, the process is reversed: the indoor unit removes heat from the air inside the home and releases it outdoors. Heat pumps generate significantly more heat energy than the electrical energy they consume, making them highly efficient. This efficiency translates to reduced carbon footprints and lower energy bills.

2. What benefits can I expect from installing a heat pump?

According to the Department of Energy, heat pumps can reduce your electricity use by 50 percent compared to furnaces and baseboard heaters. While it can be somewhat difficult to estimate cost savings for a heat pump (due to home size, your habits, your current fuel source and other factors), one group suggests that “the average homeowner would save $557 per year” on their power bills. In addition, one study found that heat pumps can reduce your home’s carbon dioxide emissions by 38 to 53 percent over a gas furnace, and 20-year global warming potential (GWP) emissions can be lowered by as much as 67 percent – depending on how much electricity your home uses, your current HVAC systems and other factors.

3. Who should I contact about installing a heat pump?

While a qualified HVAC technician will install your heat pump, you can start by reaching out to your power company, who may be able to connect you with a network of vetted contractors for the installation. Your power company should also be able to guide you on what type of heat pump might work best for your region, estimated energy savings and whether you’re eligible for rebates or other incentives. Through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes $8.8 billion for home energy efficiency and electrification, consumers can expect up $8,000 for a heat pump and up to $4,000 for a new electric panel in upfront discounts. You can begin estimating your specific incentives with this online calculator.

If you're looking to save energy at home and make a more environmentally friendly choice, it might be time to consider the efficient heat pump. With its high efficiency and the rebates available now and in the near future, there's never been a better time to invest in one. To learn more about heat pumps, watch our YouTube video here and read our fact sheet here.