Air-source heat pumps, the most common type, will trim your household carbon dioxide emissions by about 40 percent compared with gas furnaces, according to a study from UC Davis. The exact amount depends on how your electricity (which powers a heat pump) is generated. But nearly all homes will reduce their carbon footprint; 98 percent of them, according to a study from the University of Texas, the University of Michigan, and Carnegie Mellon University.
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Clean electricity amplifies the environmental benefits of a heat pump. In eastern Massachusetts, for example, one major power company already generates more than 60 percent of its electricity from renewable and non-carbon sources, including nuclear power, wind, solar, and hydroelectric dams. For the Northeast as a whole, the UC Davis study estimates that switching to an air-source heat pump should slash household carbon emissions from heating by about 75 percent compared with a gas furnace.
In the Midwest, where electricity comes mostly from gas and even coal, it’s only about a 12 percent reduction. But as the grid gets cleaner (or more people install solar power), emissions will shrink even more.
One valid counterpoint is that widespread adoption of heat pumps, along with other newly electrified technologies like plug-in vehicles, may strain the electrical grid. That could lead to a greater risk of power failures during heat waves and cold snaps, or increased air pollution from fossil-fuel power plants as they work overtime during periods of peak electricity use.
Policymakers may need to work out a solution for that problem. But on an individual level, if you think a heat pump is right for your home, installing one is very likely to be good for the environment on balance.
Heat pumps aren’t just some expensive tech for do-gooders. Though the cost of installation varies widely, CR members surveyed between and paid an average of $8,348 for a system compared with $6,221 for a gas furnace.
But in many cases, heat pumps are the most affordable way to heat and cool a home. Even by the most conservative estimate we’ve found (the study from the University of Texas, et al.), an air-source heat pump will be the most cost-effective HVAC system in 32 percent of households, or more than 37 million.
Homes that heat with propane, oil, or “regular” electric-resistance systems are the most likely to save money by installing a heat pump. Propane and oil are always expensive (even when we aren’t in the midst of a massive price spike). And electric resistance heating uses an average of two-and-a-half to three times as much electricity as a heat pump does to produce the same amount of heat.
So in many parts of the country, you could save more than $1,000 per year on your heating bills by switching to a heat pump. The DOE has some state-by-state fact sheets that can give you an idea of how much you might save per year.
You may also be eligible for subsidies or tax incentives that shrink the costs of heat pumps even further. Many states and utility companies offer rebates for heat pumps.
Massachusetts, for example, currently offers a $10,000 rebate for whole-house air-source heat-pump systems if you remove your old equipment. And the federal government offers a 30 percent tax credit on ground-source heat pumps through the end of . Punch in your ZIP code at DSIREUSA.org to see what’s available near you.
Mark Norris, a professor of environmental science at Stevenson University who lives in Baltimore County, Maryland, found that a ground-source heat pump was the most affordable way to heat and cool his home—a bit of a surprise because they’re much more difficult to install than regular air-source heat pumps or traditional HVAC equipment.
Norris had the ground-source system installed to a depth of 250 feet, straight down into the dirt in the front yard of his “tiny suburban lot,” as he described it. It cost about $23,000 up front, but as the rebates and incentives from his utility company and federal, state, and local governments trickle in, the total out-of-pocket cost works out to be around just $8,000. Norris says that the final cost is lower than the quote he received to install a basic gas furnace and central AC.
Most of the time, though, gas heating will cost less than a heat pump, particularly in colder climates. Installing both a basic gas furnace and basic central AC is usually cheaper than installing one whole-house cold-climate heat pump.
And gas-fired heating equipment tends to cost less to install than electric cold-climate heat pumps, says Dave Lis, a director at the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, though the operating costs are often pretty close. There are nuances and exceptions to this, though, including the option of using a hybrid or dual fuel system that combines a heat pump and furnace system, running the heat pump in milder temperatures when it’s most efficient, then switching to a furnace when it saves money to do so. (You can read more about hybrids in our heat pump buying guide.)
The easiest way to figure out whether a heat pump is right for your home is to get a few quotes from local HVAC contractors, according to Francis Dietz, vice president of public affairs for the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute.
“They’re going to know how many heating days you have based on where you live, and what your [utility] rates are,” Dietz says. They’ll also know what equipment works well in your area and what subsidies are available. A good contractor will do a proper load calculation to figure out exactly how much heating and cooling capacity your home needs, and whether you’d benefit from efficiency upgrades. (Our heat pump buying guide has more information on finding an experienced contractor.)
Lis says that there’s usually a way to get a heat pump into your home even if it’s a smaller system meant for just one or two rooms that need supplemental heating and cooling. “They’re very flexible, they’re very customizable, and there are a million flavors of these systems, from ducted to ductless and everything in between," he explains.
If you already have ductwork, you’re in a good position. Ducted heat pumps can hook right up to existing forced-air systems, which can help keep installation costs down. If you already have central AC, it’s even easier. Installing a heat pump is essentially no different than installing a central AC, so you’ll already have the right electrical connections and runs for the wiring and refrigerant lines.
Ductless heat pumps, also known as mini-splits, can be pretty easy to set up, too. These don’t require existing ductwork. The outdoor portion of the heat pump is identical to that of a ducted model, but rather than hooking up to a central forced-air system, the condenser hooks up to one or more “heads” placed on the walls or in the ceilings around your home—they’re sort of like individual air vents. (You can learn more about the technical details in our heat pump buying guide.) Costs can add up quickly for a multihead system, but it’s usually less expensive than adding ductwork.
There are a few important caveats to consider. Heat pumps might struggle in drafty, poorly insulated homes. You might need to upgrade your electrical service to support whole-house electric heating. And it’s possible that you’ll want to keep (or add) a backup heating system just in case the weather gets so unusually cold that your heat pump can’t keep up.
We cover these scenarios in greater detail in our heat pump buying guide. But even if you find a few barriers to adopting a heat pump in your own home, there’s usually a way to resolve it, sometimes with the aid of energy efficiency incentives from a government or utility company.
Traditional heating systems (and basic air conditioners) actually aren’t great at holding steady temperatures in your home.
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“With furnaces, we’re used to the furnace coming on, making the room hot, then it turns off and gets cold, and you get this big temperature swing up and down,” says Iain Walker, a building scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Modern heat pumps, by contrast, are much better at maintaining the same temperature and humidity in your home. “They like to operate continuously at some fixed low level, so they don’t swing around like a furnace,” Walker says.
Because they’re most efficient when they run at a trickle, it also turns out that you’ll save the most energy if you leave the thermostat set to the same temperature—even overnight, contrary to all the eco-friendly advice we’ve internalized over the years.
“If you keep pushing the buttons on the thermostat, you won’t get the efficiency you wanted to get out of the heat pump, because they’re not designed to work that way,” Walker says. So if you’ve tolerated chilly nighttime temperatures because it saves energy, a heat pump will free you from that burden.
(Of course, if you prefer a cooler room at night, you can still lower the temperature; you’ll just use some extra energy.)
Mini-split heat pumps are also a great way to add climate control to parts of your home that need it, but typically don’t have it—a newly finished attic, for example, or a home addition. They’re also a great way to add permanent AC to a home without an existing forced-air system (like a home that heats with radiators) because they’re much easier to install than ductwork. Even if you install them mainly for their cooling abilities, you may be pleasantly surprised by how effectively and efficiently they can heat, too, reducing the amount of time that you’ll need to run your main heating system.
An air-source heat pump can provide efficient heating and cooling for your home. When properly installed, an air-source heat pump can deliver up to two to four times more heat energy to a home than the electrical energy it consumes. This is because a heat pump transfers heat rather than converting it from a fuel, like combustion heating systems.
Air-source heat pumps have been used for many years across the United States. Recent advancements in technology have made them a viable heating alternative even in regions with extended periods of subfreezing temperatures.
For example, a study by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships found that when units designed for colder regions were installed in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, annual savings were around 3,000 kWh (or $459 at $0.153/kWh) compared to electric resistance heating, and 6,200 kWh (or $948 at $0.153/kWh) compared to oil systems. When displacing oil, the average annual savings are nearly 3,000 kWh (or about $300).
A heat pump's refrigeration system consists of a compressor and two copper or aluminum coils (one indoors and one outside) with aluminum fins to aid heat transfer. In heating mode, heat energy is extracted from the outdoor air and brought into the house via a compressor circulating refrigerant. A reversing valve changes the direction of refrigerant flow for cooling and for the winter defrost cycle. In warmer months, heat is extracted from the home and rejected outdoors.
Today's air-source heat pumps are more efficient due to several technical advances:
When choosing an air-source heat pump, it's essential to understand the different configurations available. These systems can be tailored to suit various home layouts, preferences, and heating and cooling needs. Here's an overview to help you make an informed decision:
Every residential heat pump sold in the United States has an EnergyGuide label displaying its heating and cooling efficiency ratings.
In general, the higher the HSPF and SEER, the higher the cost of the unit. However, the energy savings can return the higher initial investment several times during the heat pump's life. A new central heat pump replacing a vintage unit will use much less energy, substantially reducing air-conditioning and heating costs.
As of January , more stringent efficiency terms (HSPF2 and SEER2) were enacted to better reflect airflow resistance due to more realistic duct systems. For example, a unit rated at 15 SEER would be a 14.3 SEER2. Likewise, an 8.8 HSPF would equate to a 7.5 HSPF2 heating efficiency.
These are some other factors to consider when choosing and installing air-source heat pumps:
To choose an electric air-source heat pump, look for the ENERGY STAR® label. In warmer climates, SEER is more important than HSPF. In colder climates, focus on getting the highest HSPF feasible.
Heat pumps can experience issues with poor airflow, restrictive or leaky ducts, incorrect refrigerant charge, and improper wiring of electric resistance auxiliary heat strips. To ensure your heat pump operates efficiently and to avoid these performance issues, it’s essential to hire a qualified technician.
Consumers should seek out technicians certified by programs recognized under the DOE’s Energy Skilled Heat Pump Programs. This program identifies organizations that certify technicians and training programs for heat pumps, ensuring the technician has the necessary expertise to install and service the system correctly.
Finding a skilled, knowledgeable contractor is one of the most important steps to ensure the long-term performance of your HVAC equipment. It’s also one of the biggest barriers for consumers, after first cost. Be sure to hire someone certified by a recognized program to get the most out of your heat pump system.
Air-source heat pumps provide efficient and effective heating and cooling for homes in various climates. By selecting the right type and ensuring proper installation, you can enjoy significant energy savings and improved comfort.
For more information and to find ENERGY STAR certified air-source heat pumps, visit the ENERGY STAR website. Ensure your system is installed correctly and maintained regularly to maximize efficiency and savings.
To find technicians certified under the DOE Energy Skilled Heat Pump Programs, visit the DOE Energy Skilled Heat Pump Programs page. Choosing a certified technician ensures proper installation and maintenance, helping to avoid performance issues and achieve long-term energy savings.
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