Poor heating performance, frequent repairs, and high energy bills can mean it’s time for furnace replacement, but is a heat pump a suitable upgrade for your home? It is a great alternative if you’re looking for an energy-efficient solution that provides both heating and cooling without separate AC and heating equipment. Should you consider hiring Call the Whale for heat pump installation? As an experienced heating/furnace contractor, we’ll explain why it’s worth thinking about.
- Why Consider a Heat Pump Over a Furnace
- All-in-One Heating and Cooling
- Simpler Installation
- Reduced Carbon Emissions
- Fewer Health and Safety Risks
- Improved Indoor Air Quality
- Savings on Energy Bills
- Tax Credits/Rebates
- How Do I Qualify for a Heat Pump Rebate?
- Does Furnace Replacement Require Electrical Upgrades?
- Will a Heat Pump Work in Extremely Cold Weather?
Why Consider a Heat Pump Over a Furnace
Furnaces produce heat using combustion and a fuel source. This isn’t the most energy-efficient setup and not always the safest. If the time has come to replace your furnace, here are a few reasons to consider a heat pump:
All-in-One Heating and Cooling
Heat pumps extract heat from the outside air or underground, even if it’s relatively cool. Heat is transferred to your home using a refrigerant and delivered via indoor air handlers. A reversing valve enables the system to move refrigerant in the opposite direction to extract heat from your home and provide cooling. You don’t need to invest in and maintain a separate air conditioner and furnace, which also saves space.
Simpler Installation
Although you’ll need an HVAC installer, heat pumps are generally easier to install than a central AC and heating system. A mini-split heat pump does not require ductwork, eliminating a complex and costly step to HVAC installation. Each indoor unit is connected by a conduit to the outdoor condenser. Air handlers are installed in individual rooms or areas and are controlled independently of one another. They can be wall- or ceiling-mounted.
Reduced Carbon Emissions
Installing a heat pump when it’s time for furnace replacement can cut your home’s carbon footprint in half. Gas furnaces emit combustion by-products that must be properly vented. Heat pumps run on electricity, which has much fewer carbon emissions; this is better for the environment inside and outside your home. They produce fewer greenhouse gases overall compared to the most efficient traditional systems.
Fewer Health and Safety Risks
Heat pumps eliminate the carbon monoxide risks associated with oil and natural gas furnaces. While traditional equipment has various safeguards, there’s no combustion in a heat pump, so exposure to fumes and the risk of fire is minimized. However, if the unit is improperly installed or maintained, electrical issues, fires, refrigerant leaks, mold growth, and indoor air quality issues can result. Therefore, schedule preventative maintenance at least twice a year.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Smoke, fumes, and other pollutants are not released by heat pumps, which also integrate high-efficiency filters. These effectively remove dust, odors, and mold spores, as well as a range of allergens. Heat pumps also dehumidify the air when cooling and, prevent condensation from forming on windows and other cold surfaces in the winter.
Savings on Energy Bills
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing your furnace with a heat pump can save over $500 per year on average.1 Proper sizing and installation, weatherizing the system with insulation, and setting up zoning for room-by-room temperature control can further improve efficiency. You can also eliminate a gas bill if you replace a gas-powered furnace (assuming no other gas-using appliances are in your home).
Tax Credits/Rebates
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes heat pump rebates for low- and medium-income families. Additional rebates may be available if you need to upgrade your electrical breaker box or electrical wiring. However, these rebates only apply for heat pumps instead of furnace replacement, and not if replacing an old heat pump with a new one. Check with your state or local utility company for additional rebate options.
How Do I Qualify for a Heat Pump Rebate?
Households earning less than 80% of their area’s median income can qualify for a 100% heat pump rebate up to $8,000, while those earning between 80% and 150% of the area median income can qualify for a 50% heat pump rebate (up to $8,000). You may also be eligible for a 30% tax credit on a professional home energy audit. Submit IRS Form 5695 when filing your 2023-2032 taxes to claim a heat pump tax credit.
Does Furnace Replacement Require Electrical Upgrades?
HVAC equipment replacements often involve electrical updates. If you have an older home, replacing a furnace with a heat pump may require installing a new electrical panel. An electrical upgrade is generally required if your system runs under 100 amps.
Will a Heat Pump Work in Extremely Cold Weather?
Standard heat pumps can struggle in sub-freezing weather and run less efficiently when the temperature drops below 40℉. However, cold-climate heat pumps can maintain full capacity at or below 5℉. A heat pump’s performance in cold weather depends on the model and how well it’s maintained.
Schedule Furnace Replacement with a Heat Pump
Call the Whale is a trusted furnace contractor in Vermont . We also have decades of heat pump experience, including with the most efficient mini-split systems. For a free estimate on new heat pump installation or replacement, contact us today.
Source: https://www.energy.gov/articles/pump-your-savings-heat-pumps
