Electric Heat Pump Customer Buying & Operation Guide

ELECTRIC HEAT PUMP CUSTOMER BUYING AND OPERATION GUIDE FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES

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TABLE OF CONTENTS &#; Introduction...................................................................................................................3 &#; How Much Will I Save On My Heating Bill?.........................................................3 &#; How Does A Heat Pump Work?.............................................................................4 &#; What Type Of Heat Pump Is Right For My Home?...........................................5 Existing Homes...................................................................................................6 New Homes........................................................................................................10 &#; Buying A Heat Pump?...............................................................................................11 How Much Will It Cost?....................................................................................11 How Do I Buy A Heat Pump?........................................................................12 &#; Paying For A Heat Pump.........................................................................................14 &#; Best Practices For Using & Maintaining Your Heat Pump............................15 &#; Controlling Your Heat Pump..................................................................................17 &#; How Heat Pumps Work & Other Types of Heat Pumps................................19 The Science Behind Heat Pumps...............................................................19 Other Types Of Heat Pumps........................................................................20 &#; Air Source Heat Pump FAQs & Myths...............................................................22 &#; Glossary....................................................................................................................... 27 &#; Resources...................................................................................................................29

INTRODUCTION

On average, more than half the energy you use goes to heating and cooling your home. That's why it's important to choose a heating and cooling system that will save energy and money while keeping your family comfortable for years to come. Heat pump technology is an option for high efficiency heating and cooling. A heat pump system can complement or even be a great alternative to a traditional furnace or other heating equipment. It also provides a simple way to introduce air conditioning to your home. A heat pump is a device that pumps heat. It mechanically transfers heat from outside to heat your home or, in reverse, pulls heat from your home to cool it down. Interestingly, heat pumps are commonplace; in fact, you have lived with one in your home your entire life! Although it may not be referred to as a heat pump, your refrigerator operates using the same basic process. It extracts heat from inside and expels it outside, keeping your food cold—the warm air you feel coming from the back of your refrigerator is a result of this process.

What Are The Benefits Of A Heat Pump? - Efficiency: Heat pumps can significantly reduce energy usage for heating and cooling, operating two to four times more efficiently than electric resistance or fuel-burning systems, resulting in potential savings on energy bills. - Convenience: Since heat pump systems are electrically powered, you won't need to fill tanks, chop wood, or worry about fuel shortages. - Flexible Comfort: Heat pumps can be configured to complement existing heating systems and provide targeted heating or cooling in specific areas of your home. - Healthier: Providing air filtration and dehumidification, heat pumps reduce the likelihood of mold and mildew while maintaining cleaner air. - Cleaner: Being electric-powered, heat pumps generate zero emissions on-site and can harness renewable energy sources like solar and wind, further reducing environmental impact. As the electric grid becomes cleaner, the operation of heat pumps will also improve.

HOW MUCH WILL I SAVE ON MY HEATING BILL?

A home's savings depend on various factors including the chosen heat pump type, current heating source, home age, and insulation level. Homeowners switching from electric baseboard heating to a heat pump can experience drastic reductions of 50% or more in winter electric bills. In summer, you may see additional savings compared to conventional air conditioners. For those not using electric resistance heating, electricity costs may rise, while heating costs for oil or propane could decrease by up to 50%. Homeowners switching from natural gas to a fully electric system may face increased energy bills, but improvements in weatherization can enhance heating bill savings further.

HOW DOES A HEAT PUMP WORK?

Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are the most common systems in this category. They transfer heat between your home and the outside air. Heat pumps do not create heat but instead move it from one location to another, making use of naturally present heat energy even in cold temperatures. Operationally, a heat pump functions similarly to an air conditioner that can reverse its operation. During summer, heat is expelled outdoors to cool the house, while in winter, heat is drawn from the outdoor air to warm your home. The technology in modern heat pumps has greatly advanced in the past 30 years, allowing for greater efficiency and reliability. Variable speed motors (or inverter-driven compressors) enable better performance in both cold temperatures and more moderate conditions.

VARIABLE SPEED: This type of heat pump uses an inverter motor for varying operational speed, optimizing efficiency according to the heat demand.

WHAT TYPE OF HEAT PUMP IS RIGHT FOR MY HOME?

The ideal heat pump configuration depends on your specific circumstances. The significant factor is whether your home has existing ductwork. Determine your heating and cooling needs and assess if you wish to heat your entire home or just specific areas. Based on your current heating fuel, different configurations can be recommended. If you have central ductwork, consider dual-fuel heat pumps for the best efficiency while incorporating existing systems.

If you're interested in additional options such as ductless mini-split systems that target specific areas or provide whole-home heating/cooling, a discussion with your contractor can help identify the right solution. For new construction, ground source heat pumps or air-to-water heat pumps may offer exceptional efficiency. Discuss your goals and house layout to find the best type of heat pump.

WHAT TYPE OF HEAT PUMP IS RIGHT FOR MY HOME? EXISTING HOMES

For homes with existing central ductwork, configurations can range from ducted warm systems using natural gas to dual-fuel options for homes currently utilizing LP or oil. In cases where no ductwork exists, ductless mini-split heat pumps may be best to reduce energy waste while maintaining temperature control.

Regardless of your home type and current systems, understanding your unique needs will help you choose an appropriate heat pump configuration. As always, consult with your contractor to ensure an effective solution tailored to your lifestyle.

For any further insights and information, feel free to Forlssman or explore our Multifunctional Heat Pump page.