If you currently have a furnace or boiler, upgrading to an ENERGY STAR certified heat pump can help you transition from fossil fuels for a cleaner, healthier home. Here are a few different types of heat pump systems you should consider as part of your ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade:
Types Of Heat Pump Systems
Ducted Air Source Heat Pumps
Ducted air source heat pumps use your home's existing ductwork to deliver heating and cooling. In most homes, depending on factors like the climate zone, these units can be installed as a drop-in replacement for your central air conditioner or furnace. A contractor can help you determine if your home is a good fit for a 1:1 replacement.
During the summer months, the heat pump serves as a central air conditioner and reduces cooling costs compared to conventional air conditioners. In the winter months, a heat pump can deliver up to three time more heat energy than the electrical energy it consumes, costing less to operate than traditional HVAC equipment such as furnaces, boilers, or electric resistance heat.
Ductless Heat Pumps
Often referred to as a “mini split”, a ductless heat pump, is a good alternative to replace a window cooling unit (room AC), as well and as radiator or baseboard heating, meaning it can replace a traditional HVAC system while delivering savings year-round.
A head unit, or multiple head units, are mounted on an interior wall or ceiling, with an accompanying unit outside. The outside unit extracts heat from the air, even when it's cold. Refrigerant carries the heat directly to the head(s) inside, which then delivers heated air to occupied space. In warmer months, the system works in reverse for quiet, efficient air conditioning.
Mini splits are increasingly being used in these types of situations:
Older homes with no existing ductwork (e.g., radiators or baseboard heat) that have never had central air conditioning before.
Additions or outbuildings (e.g., shed, barn, garage) where extending ductwork or heating/cooling capacity is difficult.
Spaces adjacent to unconditioned spaces where ductwork would be exposed to harsher temperatures (e.g., a guest room above a garage).
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal heat pumps exchange heat with either a body of water or the ground, using a fluid that is pumped through a series of pipe loops, rather than exchanging heat with the outdoor air. These products can either condition your home by circulating air (like a furnace or air conditioner) or circulating water (like a boiler). They are also occasionally called ground source or water source heat pumps.
Visit Ask the Experts to learn more about how heat pumps work.
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