Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps are a clean and cost-effective way to provide heating and cooling to your home. They work by absorbing and releasing heat from the air, and can also be powered by solar energy.

They’re ideal for homes that have good insulation, and they can help you reduce your environmental impact and your energy bills. However, they aren’t the best solution for every home or building, so it’s important to consider your options carefully before installing a heat pump.

Energy efficiency

Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are a highly efficient technology for heating and cooling your home. They provide heating and cooling in a single system, which can save you money and space. Unlike traditional options like furnaces and boilers, which require burning fossil fuels to provide heat, air source heat pumps use energy from the environment.

They can also be paired with thermal storage solutions to store energy for future use. Storing energy in high density ceramic bricks, for example, can help stabilize indoor temperatures and reduce your home’s dependence on heating fuels.

In addition to being less costly to run, heat pumps are also much more environmentally friendly than traditional heating technologies. They emit no carbon dioxide or nitrogen dioxide, which are harmful to human health and the environment.

When compared to traditional boilers, heat pumps are much more efficient at turning electricity into heat. As a result, you can save up to 4 times as much money with an air source heat pump than with a standard electric resistance heater.

According to the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, homeowners who replace their electric resistance heaters with air source heat air source heat pump pumps in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions save around $459 per year on their energy bills. When displacing oil furnaces, the savings can be even higher.

During the heating season, an air source heat pump extracts heat from ambient air and transfers it through ductwork or other heating delivery systems to your home. For cooling, the same basic process occurs except the refrigerant absorbs the heat and condenses it back into a liquid.

As with all heating technologies, the efficiencies of an air source heat pump decrease as outside temperatures drop. This is a concern to winter-peaking electric utilities as it can cause the electrical load to increase significantly as homes reach their energy requirements during cold weather.

An air source heat pump’s efficiency is often measured by its coefficient of performance, or COP. The higher the COP, the more efficient the technology is. A COP of four means that for every one unit of electricity used, the system produces four units of heat energy. This is important to consider when comparing different heating technologies and determining which one is best for your needs.

Installation

An air source heat pump is a very efficient way of heating your home. It is much cheaper than traditional gas boilers, and it can last for over 20 years with very little maintenance.

Before installing an air source heat pump, it is important to have your house weatherized. This will insulate it and make it easier for the system to work properly, saving you money on energy bills. In addition, Rhode Island offers incentives to get your home weatherized, even covering 100% of the cost for qualifying homes.

Once your property is ready for the installation, a qualified heating engineer will assess it and ensure it is suitable for an air source heat pump. This is a crucial step, because it will determine the type of system to install and the size of the unit required.

The engineer will then install the external heat pump unit, which sits on your property and captures heat from the outdoor air. This is either bolted onto a concrete base or attached to the wall using brackets.

It is vital that you choose a qualified and accredited installer for the installation of an air source heat pump, as the job requires a high level of technical expertise. This is why RMLD recommends getting several quotes from contractors before choosing one.

After the unit has been installed, your contractor will need to connect it to your electrical system. This can be tricky, and a qualified installer should do this for you to prevent any problems in the future.

They may also need to run the lines between the outside and indoor units through ductwork. This is a job that only a certified technician should do, as handling the lines can be very dangerous.

Once the ductwork is connected, your contractor will install the indoor unit(s) and the thermostat on each. The thermostat can control the temperature of each room, allowing you to set different temperatures for different rooms. This feature is particularly useful if you have trouble keeping specific areas of your home warm or cold.

Your contractor will then help you decide whether to have a mini-split or ducted heat pump system, and if so which system best fits your needs. They will also inspect any existing ductwork to ensure it is efficient and well-sealed.

Maintenance

An air source heat pump is a renewable and energy-efficient heating solution that works by moving heat from the outside air to your home. Unlike a furnace, this system doesn’t burn fossil fuels and instead transfers heat using a refrigerant cycle powered by electricity.

There are several parts of an air source heat pump that need to be checked and maintained to ensure it’s working as efficiently and effectively as possible. Having your heat pump serviced regularly by a professional in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines will reduce wear and tear, repair costs, and prolong its lifespan.

For example, a technician will clean the indoor coils to remove any dust or debris that could be causing problems. They will also replace the air filter as it gets dirty to ensure that your system can properly circulate air and keep your indoor air quality up.

Changing your filters can make a big difference to how your heat pump performs and extend its lifespan. Similarly, removing leaves and other debris from the unit’s exterior is essential to improve the flow of air to your home.

It’s also a good idea to check the pressure levels in your heat pump as often as possible. This is important as low pressure can be caused by a variety of issues, including low refrigerant levels or a dirty air duct.

Finally, it’s important to regularly monitor the temperature of your air source heat pump and check that you are not overheating or underheating the home. This can cause damage to the unit’s internal components and lower its efficiency.

It’s also a good idea to call a heating specialist out every so often to check the thermostat and TRVs (thermostatic radiator valves) are working correctly. This is especially important if you have a multi-zone system and want to keep different areas of the house at specific temperatures.

Cost

Air source heat pumps can cost more upfront than a conventional furnace, but the savings on energy bills make up for that cost over time. And depending on the location, you may be eligible for incentives and rebates to lower your installation costs.

Compared to traditional heating systems like oil or propane, or electric-resistance heaters, an air source heat pump can save you hundreds of dollars a year on your heating bills. Moreover, they can help you reduce your carbon emissions and lower the amount of electricity used in your home.

A good heating contractor will perform a thorough inspection of your home and existing ductwork before air source heat pump making any recommendations for a new system. Older ductwork that is clogged or leaky can cause problems with the efficiency of your new system and increase the overall price of your installation.

The initial cost of installing a heat pump will vary depending on the brand and model you choose, but it can typically range from $4,500 to $8,000. Higher-end systems can be as much as $10,000.

There are also many state and utility-based subsidies available for heat pumps. This includes tax incentives and cash rebates that reduce the up-front cost of a new system.

You can also save on the cost of your system by switching to a solar powered heat pump. Using renewable energy to power your system can significantly lower your total energy costs and improve the overall sustainability of your home.

Another way to save on your energy bill is by insulating your home, which will prevent cold and hot air from entering your home. This will help your new system work more efficiently and keep your house warmer in the winter, which can also lower your heating costs.

Lastly, you can consider a home weatherization service to help your new heat pump work more efficiently. This service will insulate your home and ensure it stays the temperature you want, which can cut your energy bills even further.

Whether you’re looking to install a whole-house heat pump or just a few air conditioners, BlocPower can help you find a solution that fits your budget and provides the benefits you’re looking for. You can get started by getting a free quote from the EnergySage Marketplace or talking to an Energy Advisor to learn more about how an air source heat pump can save you money on your utility bills, while offering more comfort and cleaner indoor air than ever before.