5 Reasons to Swap to A Heat-Pump
Haven’t you heard? Heat pumps are now all the rage when it comes to heating and cooling a home. Much of the growing popularity of heat pumps can be attributed to the latest string of heat waves during the summer season. These electrically powered HVAC units are a highly efficient method of heating and cooling a home. When coupled with a home that is well insulated and air sealed, a heat pump provides an excellent opportunity to increase home energy efficiency. Even further, for those fortunate enough to own a properly designed and installed residential solar pv system, the heating and cooling costs from a heat pump will be significantly offset by the solar electricity production. Newly installed heat pumps are also typically wired with smart thermostats, which can optimize home energy efficiency even further.
Let's get into our top 5 reasons folks are ICY-HOT on Heat Pumps.
1. Heat pumps work in the summer and the winter —
That's right, a heat pump is a single heating and cooling unit that works in the summer and the winter. It functions like a refrigerator, in which a coolant takes heat from the inside of the fridge and “pumps” it out of the appliance. A heat pump works similarly. On a very basic level, a heat pump uses a refrigeration cycle to “pump” heat, either into or out of a home. Where it pumps the heat is dependent on if you want it cold or warm in your house. During the winter, the heat pump can run the refrigeration cycle in reverse, which allows the heat pump to heat your home. Instead of pumping the heat out of your home, it takes heat from the exterior air and pumps it into your home. The outside air temperature can drop to -5 deg F and the heat pump can still take heat from the air and dump it into your home.
2. Fuel source – Electricity
Back in the day, our grandfathers heated their homes with oil burning furnaces. These dirty oil furnaces were the top-of-the-line home heating system, but it's time to move forward. Modern problems require modern solutions. Heat pumps provide very efficient heating and cooling to homes using lower emission fuel - electricity. The result is a much more economical, efficient, and safer method to heat and cool homes. Out with the Oil/Gas furnace and in with the Heat Pump.
3. Can easily be installed on existing and older homes.
Imagine a Portland, Oregon homeowner that is passionate about improving their home energy efficiency. They live in a 1947 classic craftsman style 2200 SF home and have invested in a solar system, weatherized and insulated the exterior walls and attic, installed all ENERGY STAR rated electric appliances, and installed all LED lighting. Now, with all the new home energy efficiency federal tax credits flying around, they are making plans to make the switch from an older natural gas furnace to a high efficiency heat pump. They will now have all of the benefits of a modern, new construction home, but with all of the romantic and eclectic appeal of an older home.
4. Very high efficient models
People say that the efficiency ratings of heat pumps are off of the charts — and those people are right! Heat pump technology is among one of the most efficient methods of heating and cooling residential living space. Some heat pump units are topping efficiency ratings of 31 SEER and 14 HSPF. In comparison, typical natural gas furnaces are 80% efficient but can be as high as 90%-96% efficiency; however, they are only heaters. Heat pumps efficiently heat AND cool homes.
Ducts are the source of most of the energy loss and air leakage in a home's heating and cooling system. With all of the kinks, tears, and dust along the way, some airflow barely coughs out of your master bedroom supply register. Ductless mini-splits are heat pumps that provide a smart and very high energy efficient HVAC option. For new construction projects, basement renovations, or homeowners that are renovating an older home and want to improve their heating and cooling strategy, ductless mini-splits are a very versatile, cost effective, and energy efficient option for heating and cooling.
5. Tax credits available for heat pumps!
The Inflation Reduction Act opened up quite a lot of federal cash for homeowners in the United States. For those of you 80 million individual homeowners out there, if you have any appetite for yearly tax incentives, consider taking advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act. Starting Jan 1, 2023, and until its expiration on Jan,1 2023, homeowners can qualify for up to $2,000.00 in tax credits for a heat pump installation. No income qualification.
Contact NWECB for more information on heat pumps or for a vetted HVAC contractor referral!
