Learn The Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps

Think you need ducts for heat pumps or that they don’t work in Andover winters? Or want to know the critical elements of switching to heat pumps? Check out the newest WECAN Electrify Your Life webinar on heat pumps.

Healing and Cooling Our Homes Uses A Lot of Energy

Bob Zogg, a founding member of the HeatSmart Alliance, shared specific tips for Andover homeowners learning about heat pumps in Heat Pumps: Green Heating and Cooling for Your Home, co-sponsored with Memorial Hall Library. Zogg talked about how much difference we can each make by reducing home energy use. Our homes consume 30% of all the energy used in New England, and within our homes, 80% of the energy is used for heating, cooling and hot water production, which all can be served with heat pump technology. 

The webinar shares about three key steps to decarbonizing your home:

• improve insulation, 

• electrify appliances, and 

• shift to renewable electricity sources.

So What is a Heat Pump?

Heat pumps leverage variable speed fans to reduce temperature swings and provide consistent comfort while also substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Heat pumps, despite their name, provide both heating and cooling. In addition, electric heat pumps eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and natural gas explosions. There are two types of heat pumps: ground-source (GSHP), also called geothermal, which is the most efficient; and air-source. Mini-split systems are a popular example of air-source heat pump.

Financial Savings for Homeowners

Mass Save provides financial incentives for converting to electric heat pumps. Mass Save 2022 rebates and loans include:

• $15,000 for whole-home Ground-Source Heat Pump

• $10,000 for whole-home Air-Source Heat Pump

• $1,250 / ton for partial-home Air-Source Heat Pump

• $10,000 for Air-to-Water Heat Pump

• $750 Heat Pump Water Heater

• $25,000 HEAT Loan at 0% interest for 7 years

The Federal Inflation Reduction Act provides both upfront discounts based on income and tax credits.

Okay, I’m In. Now What?

Bob advises planning ahead to replace older, conventional, heating and cooling systems. Options for emergency replacements are limited and generally more expensive. HeatSmart also provides one-on-one coaching on heat pump replacement solutions. Although they do not endorse installers, HeatSmart coaches will help with evaluating heat pump installation proposals. Andover needs heat pump coaches, and HeatSmart will help to train our new coaches. Watch the webinar and start planning your transition now.

HeatSmart Alliance is a volunteer organization dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by accelerating the adoption of energy-efficient heat pumps in Massachusetts homes and businesses. To preserve its independence and objectivity, the Alliance does not accept donations or referral fees from heat pump installers or manufacturers.