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Heat pump

Heat pumps can save up to 50% on home heating bills because they deliver energy more efficiently than other sources. Heat pumps are actually air conditioners with a reverse cycle for heating. They cool homes in summer and heat them in winter.

Try using our heating options calculator to compare costs of heating types.

With a process similar to refrigeration, the system picks up heat from the air and either puts it inside the home or outside depending on the season. In winter heat is extracted from the outside air by a refrigerant, concentrated by a compressor, circulated through the heat pump's coils and sent into your home's duct system. In summer the process is reversed: the pump extracts heat from the air inside and transfers it outside.

When the outside temperature gets below about 24 degrees (or if the heat pump fails) a back-up system kicks in. Usually a gas or electric furnace, this back-up system will also come on to speed up heating when the thermostat setting is increased. Auxiliary heat is more expensive to operate than the heat pump. Use a special heat pump thermostat to regulate temperature changes during the day and night to get more efficient use from your heat pump.

We offer incentives for the installation of a heat pump in an electrically heated home, including a $750 rebate on qualified installations of Energy Star heat pumps (installed to "Performance Tested Comfort Systems" standards). We also have financing available for heat pumps.

Operating and maintenance tips

  • Insulate your home and ductwork for greatest cost savings.
  • Check and clean air filters regularly and replace them when needed. 
  • Keep all registers open fully to maintain airflow balance. 
  • Keep the area around your outdoor condensing unit clear of weeds and other obstructions that might interfere with the air flow. 
  • Remove grates and vacuum heat registers occasionally to remove dust and other debris. 
  • Check ducts yearly for loose connections and holes. 
  • Inspect the indoor cooling coil in the fan unit to make sure the condensate drain is draining water properly.

 

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