Home & Garden
Could An Air Source Heat Pump Save You Money This Winter?
Homeowners can save on their utility bills while reducing their carbon footprint by switching to an air source heat pump system.
When it comes to heating and cooling your home, long gone are the days of having to use separate systems. Savvy homeowners are seeking to upgrade their heating and cooling systems to air source heat pump systems, which provide year-round comfort, savings, and health benefits, while reducing their carbon footprint. Here’s everything you need to know about air source heat pumps, including how installing one can help save you money this winter.
What Is An Air Source Heat Pump?
An air source heat pump is a heating and cooling system that provides an energy-efficient solution to obtain the optimal temperature in your home. These systems provide all-in-one cooling and heating, along with air purification, making them a safer and cost-effective option for homeowners. They’re suitable for homes with or without ductwork.
Despite common myths, modern air source heat pumps operate soundly in both colder and warmer climates — though in too cold of a climate, such as below-freezing conditions, a supplemental heat source is beneficial because these systems move heat instead of generating it themselves. However, those in colder regions can still see large annual savings by using a heat pump system, rather than oil or electric.
How Do Air Source Heat Pumps Work?
Like a refrigerator, a heat pump system transfers heat - but in two directions for heating and cooling. As opposed to a typical heating system that converts heat using combustion, an air source heat pump’s refrigeration system transfers the heat from that is present even in cold outdoor air into your home using a compressor and two coils. These coils, made of aluminum or copper, are located indoors and outdoors.
In the wintertime, the heating system takes heat from outdoor air using liquid refrigerant in the coils. From there, the heat evaporates into a gas via the outdoor coil; it is then released into the home via the indoor coil as its refrigerant condenses into a liquid once again.
In the summertime, a reversing valve located near the compressor can change the flow of the refrigerant. When this happens, the system works to extract the hot air from the home to maintain a cooler temperature.
What Are The Different Types Of Air Source Heat Pumps?
The right type of air source heat pump for your home will depend on the space you have available, along with the existing infrastructure. Different types of air source heat pump include:
Ducted Or Ductless — If your home has existing ductwork, or if it's a new build where you can easily add it, ducted systems can be installed. However, a home without ductwork can still benefit from an air source heat pump system with installation of a heat pump system that connects the outdoor condenser and indoor heads via a three-inch hole in the wall.
Mini-Split — A mini-split system, which uses a single indoor unit and an outdoor unit, operates by heating or cooling all rooms attached to the system to one temperature. These systems use supply and return ducts connected to a central fan that delivers the heated or cool air. However, if you’re looking to maintain different temperatures in each room, additional mini-split systems will be required.
Multi-Split — A multi-split system is a great solution if you need individualized temperature control based on rooms, or “zones.” These systems, which consist of multiple indoor units, connect via outdoor units — at least one unit, if not more — and provide one temperature option at a time, whether it's heating or cooling.
Is An Air Source Heat Pump Worth It?
Air source heat pumps can make a big impact on the environment and your wallet. Here’s why they’re worth the investment this winter and beyond:
Improves Health And Wellness — Many homeowners prefer air source heat pumps’ closed systems due to their health benefits over traditional HVAC solutions, as it produces no combustion byproducts and doesn’t intake outdoor air. As a cleaner option, heat pump systems eliminate many pollutants from the home using contained air filters, reducing bacteria, pollen and dust. This is a great benefit for those who struggle with allergies, asthma or other respiratory problems, as poor air quality in homes can lead to worsened symptoms and dangerous health issues.
Energy Efficient — If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint and support the environment, air source heat pumps are a great solution; they produce far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the typical HVAC system and are more energy efficient. The U.S. Department of Energy found that a properly installed air source heat pump can output three times the amount of heat energy for the amount of electrical energy the pump consumes in the process.
Combines Heating And Cooling — By combining heating and cooling elements into one system, thereby significantly reducing the amount of fossil fuels burned, you can save money on your utility bills, as well as space in and around your home. These systems, which are the primary heating and cooling technology across Europe and Asia, are finally making their way into homes across the U.S., as the technology continues to improve and demonstrate its cost-saving benefits.
Saves Money Year-Round — Heating and cooling account for over 50 percent of the average U.S. home’s energy consumption, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Because of this, having a modern and sustainable system that doesn’t require fossil fuels can drastically reduce costs in the winter and summer alike. While the upfront cost of air source heat pumps is higher than that of traditional HVAC systems, the cost-saving benefits provided can ultimately accumulate massive savings.
Homeowners can also save on the upfront cost of the system by taking advantage of government and utility rebates and incentives, such as PSEG Long Island’s low financing and rebate options on qualifying equipment.
How To Choose An Air Source Heat Pump For Your Home
Different air source heat pumps are available depending on your home’s needs. To ensure the right fit for your home, consider your budget, your needs for heating and cooling, the size of the home, and the size of the pump (and whether you have enough space for it). A small system will be inadequate in properly heating and cooling your home; too big of a system will lead to higher energy bills due to the system more frequently powering off and on.
Need help determining the heat pump system that’s best for your home? By answering a few questions about your home, this Heat Pump Planner tool will help you learn more about the types of heat pump technology available, compare your options, help you understand installation and operating costs, and prepare you with questions to ask your installer.
You should have your air source heat pump installed by a licensed and experienced HVAC technician. They should be able to determine which system is right for your home and ensure that it is installed properly and fully functional.
Your system will require regular inspections and servicing by a professional, which should be conducted once or twice per year. Additionally, keep brush and debris away from your outdoor unit and ensure the coils, fins and filters are regularly cleaned.
Interested in learning more about air source heat pump’s energy-efficient technology, how much you could save or how to locate a contractor to help you find what’s right for your home? PSEG Long Island has all the information you need.
