At N.E.T.R., Inc, we love to talk about the benefits of air-source heat pumps, but when it comes to the great features of these systems, you don’t have to take our word for it. There is a wide range of literature about the advantages of air-source heat pumps.
To help you learn more about this energy-efficient option, we have collected facts about air source heat pumps and mini splits from EnergyStar.gov. Take a look at our favorites.
1. Heat pumps move warm air.
Most furnaces generate heat, and while operating, they use more energy than they generate. A heat pump, in contrast, doesn’t generate heat. Instead, it moves heat.
During the winter, it extracts heat from the outside air and brings it into your home. In the summer, it works in reverse and extracts heat from your home. This means that these systems produce more energy than they consume.
2. Homeowners save money when they switch from traditional heating methods.
According to Energy Star, homeowners lower their energy bills when they embrace heat pumps and get rid of their traditional heating sources. In particular, Energy Star says that you’ll save money if you’re currently using electric resistance, propane, or oil heating.
According to EnergyStar.gov, the average family spends about $1,900 per year on energy, and half of this money goes to heating and cooling. By switching to a heat pump, you can reduce these costs. For example, mini splits with the Energy Star labels use up to 60% less energy than standard home electric radiators.
3. Installing a heat pump reduces your greenhouse gas emissions.
A lot of people choose heat pumps because they help to make their home more energy efficient. Additionally, when you have a whole home heat pump, you can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 4,500 pounds over the lifetime of the system.
4. Heat pumps improve indoor air quality.
Indoor air quality is directly related to your health. When you move away from a combustion furnace and get a heat pump, you will improve your indoor air quality. This happens because there are no direct emissions such as NOx, carbon dioxide, or carbon monoxide.
5. You don’t have to worry about running out of fuel.
With a propane or oil furnace, you often have to store fuel oil on site. You also have to set up deliveries and pay attention to your reserves to make sure that you don’t run out. Heat pumps work on electricity so unless there’s a power outage, you will always have heat and cooling.
That said, some of our clients like to back up their systems with solar panels and batteries or home generators. Then, if they lose power, the backup system will power on, and they can continue to use their heat pump.
6. Professional installation can help safeguard efficiency.
To maximize the energy efficiency of your system, you need to ensure that you select the right size. If you choose too high of a capacity, your system will waste energy by cycling on and off too much. A system with too low of a capacity will run incessantly, which also wastes energy.
To avoid this, Energy Star recommends working with an installation professional who can do a Manual J calculation on your home.
7. Air source heat pumps can help you earn tax credits.
Air source heat pumps with Energy Star certification are eligible for a tax credit of up to $2,000. The credit is available from Jan 2023 to December 2032, and it’s worth about 30% of the cost of your qualifying equipment.
8. You can connect air source heat pumps to forced-air duct work
Although we focus a lot on ductless mini splits, they are not the only option. You can attach an air source heat pump to your ducted system. This setup uses heat pump technology to heat or cool the air in your home, and then, it uses the duct work to move the air around your home.
Contact Us at N.E.T.R., Inc to Talk About Heat Pumps
Now that you have a sense of the benefits, it’s time to improve your home’s comfort and efficiency. Ready to learn more about ductless mini splits or ducted air source heat pumps? Then, contact us at N.E.T.R., Inc. We have extensive experience with Mitsubishi heat pumps, LG heat pumps, and more. Your comfort is our number one priority.
