You may have heard talk about heat pumps and how they are an energy efficient solution to heating your home. Well, the talk is true! Heat pumps are extremely energy efficient models that will help you save on your energy bills. Not convinced? Below, we have listed six of the benefits that come with installing a heat pump.
- Heat pumps can both heat and cool your home. No need for an AC unit when you have a heat pump—it will reverse the process it uses to heat your home in order to keep you cool during the summer. How is this process more efficient than a furnace or AC? Instead of burning energy to warm or cool air, heat pumps move compressed air from one location to another. So, in the winter it takes any heat from the outdoor environment and moves it indoors to heat your home. In the summer, it takes the heat from indoors and moves it outdoors.
- You’ll have more consistent energy bills. Heat pumps heat and cool the air fairly evenly, which allows for more similar heating and cooling bills across the board. So, not only will your heat pump be saving you money, you will also have a pretty good idea of what to expect to spend each month.
- Ductless air-source models are specifically designed to function in cold climates. In Vermont, we have some pretty harsh winters. It is important that we are able to heat our homes even in the coldest of weather, and ductless air-source models, or “mini splits,” are the perfect solution. While heat pumps originally could only function well above freezing temperatures, mini splits can continue to heat your home even during negative temperatures.
- No fuel storage necessary. Unlike with oil or propane heating systems, heat pumps require no fuel storage since they run on electricity. That means no worrying about running out of fuel, either!
- Heat pumps require very little maintenance. It is a good idea to check on your heat pump system about once a year, but it likely will not need to be serviced by a professional for at least three to five years.
- Heat pumps reduce your carbon emissions. Since heat pumps run efficiently on electricity and not a dirty fuel source, they are bound to reduce your household’s carbon footprint. Heat pumps also pair well with solar power, which if you have it, will make your heat pump system effectively carbon neutral.
Heat pumps do not only save you money year-round, but they also help the environment by being a cleaner source of heat for your home. If you are ready to hop on the bandwagon, you may also want to consider a heat pump hot water heater, which is a more efficient system than traditional hot water heaters.
If you are interested in installing heat pumps or a heat pump hot water heater in your home, NeighborWorks of Western Vermont offers an Energy Loan that can help you complete energy efficiency projects on your home, including the installation of heat pumps. For more information, visit www.heatsquad.org.
Author: Jillian Branchaud, Community Engagement AmeriCorps Member
