6 Things to Know About Electric Heat Pump Systems

An electric heat pump can be a good choice for homeowners looking for energy-efficient ways to heat and cool their homes. Energy-efficient appliances reduce utility bills and are better for the environment. In April of 2021, President Biden announced his resolution to reduce greenhouse gas levels by 50 to 52% by 2030. Switching from fossil fuel-powered machines to electric devices is one path to meeting this goal.

Homeowners turn to heat pumps for more than energy savings and environmental concerns. Another top advantage is the ability to cool and heat homes with a single system. One heat pump system can replace a home’s air conditioner and furnace.

Still, heat pumps aren’t for every household. For one, your location might not be suitable for heat pumps. Only when you understand the benefits and drawbacks of heat pumps can you determine if one is ideal for your home.

How a heat pump works is similar to how an air conditioner operates. Refrigerant circulates between the indoor and outdoor units, absorbing heat from the surrounding air at one of the coils and releasing heat at the opposite coil with assistance from a compressor and a fan.

Heat pumps often have higher upfront costs but can save you money over time with reduced energy costs. You might reap additional savings through tax credits and other incentives with new heat pump installation.

Heat pumps are a long-term investment that delivers savings from lower energy costs over time. Heat pumps use approximately 50% less energy than electric furnaces and baseboard heaters. Not only do heat pumps cost less to operate than other electric systems, but they also protect homeowners from rising fuel costs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Winter Fuels Outlook predicted in October 2022 that households that use natural gas, oil, and electric heating would spend more on energy costs during the winter of 2022 than the previous year:

• Natural gas, 28% more

• Oil, 27% more

• Electricity, 10% more

Households that install new heat pumps can recoup some of the costs through local and federal tax credits and rebates. Some local utility companies offer incentives for installing Energy Star-qualified heat pumps. The federal government provides tax credits for high-efficiency upgrades, and rebates up to $14,000 will soon be available for heat pumps through the Inflation Reduction Act’s High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA).

Electric heat pumps offer numerous advantages to homeowners.

1. They are more energy efficient. Heat pumps transfer more energy than they consume and can be up to 300% efficient.

2. They are cheaper to run compared to a gas furnace. While it isn’t always the case, the cost to run a heat pump vs. furnace can be less if natural gas prices are higher than electric rates and the home is in a mild climate.

3. There is no gas and carbon monoxide risk. Heat pumps are electric and don’t pose the risks associated with fuel combustion, such as leaks, explosions, or poisonings.

4. They produce warm and cold air. Heat pumps can heat and cool your house with the same system. They transfer heat outside in summer and inside in winter.

They don’t burn fossil fuels. Heat pumps run on electricity and are environmentally friendly. They transfer heat, unlike furnaces that generate heat from fuel combustion.

Despite their advantages, heat pumps have some drawbacks.

1. They have higher upfront costs. Heat pumps are more costly to install than gas furnaces.

2. They use electricity. Electric appliances can be disadvantageous if your area has high electricity rates or is prone to power outages.

They can be less efficient in extreme climates. Heat pumps transfer heat indoors from the outside air in winter and are less efficient below 40°F. Heat pumps in cold climates usually require a backup heating system.

Overall, heat pumps use less electricity than other electric resistance heating systems. The amount of electricity a heat pump uses depends on the heat pump’s type, size, SEER and HSPF ratings, and mode.

According to Learn Metrics, a one- to six-ton air-source heat pump with ratings between 14 and 22 SEER and 8 and 14 HSPF uses 4.36 kWh to 41.14 kWh per day in cooling mode and 6.86 kWh to 72 kWh per day in heating mode.

Electric heat pumps are innovative heating and cooling systems that transfer heat. Because they transfer instead of generating heat, they can heat and cool homes. Heat pumps operate like air conditioners during cooling cycles and like air conditioners in reverse during heating cycles. Defrost cycles preserve the outside coil’s efficiency during frosty outdoor conditions. Heat pumps have higher upfront costs but can save homeowners money through efficient energy usage, tax incentives, and rebates.

A heat pump might be right for you if…

• You want energy-efficient heating and cooling

• You want to reduce your heating and cooling costs

• You want to avoid gas and carbon monoxide risks

• You need a heating and cooling solution

• You want to reduce your fossil fuel usage

Reconsider installing a heat pump if…

• You can’t withstand the higher upfront cost

• Your area has high electric rates or prevalent power outages

• You live in a cold climate and aren’t going to install a backup heating system