By Karen Dougherty
For those of us looking for ways to shrink our climate footprint, one of the biggest levers we can pull is how we heat and cool our homes. Project Drawdown, a leading source of science-based climate solutions, touts switching to heat pumps as one of the more powerful moves an individual can make.
Why? Because they run on electricity. Heat pumps don’t burn oil or gas – this alone makes them safer to use in our homes and eliminates greenhouse gas emissions. They’re also dramatically more efficient: three times more so than furnaces. This means they require less energy to operate.
So what exactly is a heat pump?
Heat pumps have been around since the 1960s, but today’s models are light-years ahead in performance. The type most people use are air-source heat pumps, which can either tie into existing ductwork – functioning similarly to traditional air conditioners but providing both heating and cooling – or function as ductless “minisplit” units. Here’s how a heat pump works (without getting too nerdy). The system pumps refrigerant through coils. In heating mode, it draws heat from outdoor air and concentrates it to warm your home. In cooling mode, it extracts heat from indoors and dumps it outside. The magic is in moving heat, not creating it. That may be all you need to know, but inquiring minds can learn more here.
Why act now?
There are tax credits available for projects completed by December 31, 2025. Depending on where you live, you may have access to additional incentives through your energy utility or a state program. But fair warning: federal incentives vanish at the end of this year.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Big cut in emissions when replacing fossil-fuel heating
- Tackle both heating and cooling – one system, two jobs
- Lower operating costs are likely over time
- High efficiency
- Eligible for federal tax credits through 2025
Cons
- Higher upfront installation cost compared to furnace or AC unit alone because you are replacing both
- Not all HVAC companies are comfortable installing them yet
- In extremely cold climates (e.g. -25°F) performance can drop (some people have a backup heat source for these situations)
What can we do?
Switching to a heat pump can be a helpful climate solution, but it may not make sense for everyone. It depends on multiple factors including the condition of your existing system, your home’s insulation, your local climate, and your fiscal readiness. Gathering information and chatting with a few HVAC professionals is a good starting point. It’s much better to have a plan in mind so you’re not stuck mid-winter with a failing furnace. Emergency replacement might mean you end up in a long-term relationship with the same system you already have.
Quick tips before diving in:
- If your system is old or having problems, start looking into options now – don’t wait until it breaks!
- Ask your contractor or HVAC company about heat pumps – they may not bring it up.
- Get a few different quotes and be sure to compare specs, not just price.
- Make sure any system you consider qualifies for the tax credit.
If you time it right, switching to a heat pump can be a climate-smart upgrade. Don’t let that 2025 window close while you are on the fence! And even if you aren’t ready in time to take advantage of these tax incentives, you can keep the idea of a heat pump simmering on the backburner for when it’s time to make a change.
In addition to volunteering for C-Change, Karen blogs about climate change at unheating.com.
