HEAT PUMPS ON THE RISE IN 2023

About an overall energy use comes from homes, from lighting and cooking to heating and cooling. Making the switch to energy efficient appliances and technologies means less energy use, lower energy bills, fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and more comfortable homes. Heat pumps, which move heat rather than create it, are becoming more popular in homes thanks to their efficient heating and cooling, lower energy use, and big incentive savings on the horizon.

While heat pump technology dates back to the 19th century, the technology didn’t become widely available until the 2000s. As of 2017, just small percent of single-family homes use a heat pump. With many models now on the market – and incentive savings coming soon – it predicts that 2023 will be a big year for heat pumps.

In heating mode, heat pumps collect heat from ambient outdoor temperatures, concentrate it, and transfer that heat inside the building – yes, even on cold days! In cooling mode, heat pumps operate like regular air conditioners, moving heat from inside the building to outside.

There are a few types of heat pumps available. The most common and often least-expensive option is an air source heat pump, which uses electricity to operate the compressor that transfers heat indoors/outdoors. Air source heat pumps can work with a home’s existing ductwork or can be ductless models. A ground source or geothermal heat pump uses the relatively constant underground temperature instead of outside air. These models are typically more expensive to install, but more efficiently transfer heat and tend to have lower operating costs. Similarly, water source heat pumps use a pumped closed water loop from a nearby water source instead of air. Like ground source, water source heat pump installations cost more, but are more efficient with lower operating costs. Finally, gas-fired or absorption heat pumps use natural gas or propane to generate the heat source to transfer into a building. These models are a relatively new technology that aren’t commercially available just yet. They can be more efficient than traditional gas furnaces, but don’t offer cooling or air conditioning.

In general, heat pumps are more energy efficient than other types of heating. Users could save about 50 percent on home heating costs with a heat pump compared to electric resistant heat, like cadet or baseboard heaters. Heat pump efficiency is expressed with technical specifications like Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), Heat Season Performance Factor (HSPF), and others. Heat pump incentive programs often require minimum ratings, so be sure to talk to your heat pump seller or installer to make sure your heat pump is efficient and can qualify for a rebate or incentive.