If you’re in the market to improve the efficiency of your home’s heating system, a hybrid system that uses an air-source heat pump in conjunction with your existing furnace may be your best option. These systems can reduce your heating bills by as much as 30 percent.
A heat pump condenses heat present in the outside air — usually down to about 30 degrees Fahrenheit — and pumps it into the home. When the temperature drops below freezing, there’s not enough heat in the air to heat the home with the pump alone, so the backup electric or gas furnace kicks in to provide warmth.
“Seventy-five to 80 percent of the heating season, the heat pump does the majority of the work,” said Mike Wallace, owner of Star Heating and Cooling in Fishers. “Then, during the really cold months, the backup heat kind of takes over and assists the heat pump in heating the house.”
When the seasons change, the heat pump does too. In warm months, the pump pulls heat out of the air in the home and discharges it outside, eliminating the need for an air conditioner. A heat pump costs from $800 to $1,500 more than a standard air conditioner. However, there is a federal tax credit available through the end of 2011 for $300 for qualifying heat pumps.
Rebates from local energy utilities and the potential monthly savings on your energy bill can also help offset the cost of a heat pump. According to a recent nationwide Angie’s List poll, 31 percent of respondents plan to take advantage of the tax credits that expire this year to save money on their utility bills.
“The complete cost of operational cost and installation pays for itself in the short term because you aren’t burning fossil fuels and natural gas to heat your home,” said Chris Cunningham, owner of Service Plus in Avon.
Heat pumps have gotten a bad reputation in the past, Wallace said, because the air being pushed out isn’t as warm as the air from an electric or gas furnace.
“I don’t necessarily recommend them to customers who like their house toasty warm, but what it lacks in the higher temperatures, it overcomes with greater amount of airflow,” Wallace said. “When you have both a heat pump and furnace together, and it gets really cold outside, then the (backup furnace) will put out the warmer air. In that sense, the hybrid system is probably the preferred method of putting a heat pump in.”
Geothermal units are another type of heat pump. They use heat from the ground instead of the air. A geothermal system can cost significantly more than air-source heat-pump systems, from $10,000 to $20,000. The benefits are greater, too. You’ll save more energy and the tax credit is 30 percent of the total cost with no cap. Geothermal systems require less assistance from a backup unit.
“The big advantage of geothermal over air-to-air is the ground temperature stays consistent and will continue operating when the air temperature drops well below 30 degrees,” Wallace said. “It’s still required to have backup heat, but the backup is very seldom ever used.”
Like any other heating and cooling system, heat pumps require regular maintenance to run efficiently, added Cunningham. Check filters once a month and clean or change them as needed. Schedule a professional service check, as recommended by the manufacturer.
Not all companies offer heat pumps, so be sure you work with a reputable company that has technicians experienced in installing and servicing the various types.
http://www.indystar.com/
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