Karli Eheart
Former Public Lands Campaign, Associate, Environment America Research & Policy Center
Interested in getting a heat pump, but have questions? Check out our Q&A.
Former Public Lands Campaign, Associate, Environment America Research & Policy Center
Former Director, Environment Campaigns, U.S. PIRG Education Fund
Senior Director, Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy, Environment America Research & Policy Center
Lots of people are excited about heat pumps these days- and there’s a lot to be excited about, from their efficiency to their environmental benefits, to the incentives available to install one. But as with any technology, people have questions. Here’s some answers to common questions people have about heat pumps.
Many of these questions and answers are taken from our heat pumps webinar, which is viewable here.
There is no income limit for the IRA tax credits- the only qualification required is that you have tax liability. Later this year, there will also be rebates aimed at lower and middle income homeowners, set up by the states.
The federal tax credit won’t cover the entire cost of the heat pump, and will either cover $2,000 or 30% of the cost of the heat pump, whichever is lower, in the year you install it. Some cities and states have their own programs, and there is also a system-level 30% credit for systems with thermal energy storage.
Not necessarily. To qualify for the IRA tax credit, heat pumps and heat pump hot water heaters must meet efficiency requirements, and be in the Consortium for Energy Efficiency’s highest non-”advanced” tier.
Yes! You can have a non-heat pump backup and still use the credit to purchase a heat pump.
Ideally you find a contractor who is knowledgeable about state and local heat pump rebates. In the absence of that, here are some databases that provide information on state and local incentives.
Most likely around the end of 2023, but it depends on how the Department of Energy Implements the program.
There is currently nothing to keep local, state and federal rebates from being stacked, but it’s possible that this could change in the future.
The ductless mini split systems cost about 20% more than ducted systems. That said, especially if you are switching from oil, these upfront costs can more than pay for themselves in long term savings. Rebates and incentives also help to offset the upfront costs.
Depending on your home’s size and the climate you live in, the cost to install a heat pump before incentives can range from $3,500 to $35,000. It’s a good idea to get multiple quotes from several contractors to get a complete picture of your options.
Depending on the model, your existing hot water heater, and several other factors, installation of a heat pump hot water heater can range from around $1,900 to $3,800.
One major way to reduce your electric bill and make sure that your heat pump is running as efficiently as possible is to invest in weatherizing your home and making sure you’re maximizing your home’s efficiency. Another way is to invest in a heat pump system that has a thermal battery or other “load shifting” technology, which can help by running when electricity is cheapest and storing the heat for later use.
Heat pumps are about 3-5 times more efficient than most conventional HVAC systems. Depending on the system it’s replacing, annual savings on your energy bill can range from $100 to $1,300.
Heat pump water heaters are 2-3 times more efficient than most conventional hot water systems. On average, you’ll save about $175 to $575 a year in operating costs compared to a conventional hot water heater.
This depends on the system used and the needs and the size of the home. Usually a heat pump will require between a 30 and 60 amp circuit, but heat pumps can often be installed in homes with only 100 amp circuits.
This depends on the BTU rating of your heat pump and how cold it gets in your area.
While our utilities pride themselves on providing power during all types of weather, it’s a fact of life that sometimes the power does go out. For better or worse, a heat pump is just like a gas-powered furnace or boiler. All require electricity to operate (this surprises many homeowners, but your furnace and boiler also require electricity to provide heat!). If you live in an area that is prone to frequent power outages, going “off the grid” with solar and battery storage might be a compelling option for you. And soon, you may also be able to power your home via your EV!
Yes! It is possible to replace one then plan to convert another in the future.
Typically it can. Most heat pump HVAC systems will leverage existing ducts (not mini splits though).
Yes, it is possible to have multiple “zones”.
Yes, it is possible to have a centrally ducted system supplemented with mini-split heads. This can be a great option for rooms that are especially hot or cold without ducts supplying it.
It should, but it depends on the size and condition of the ducts. Heat pumps require a fair bit of airflow and so sometimes require larger ducts than the ones that already exist.
A ductless mini-split system can be a great option for homeowners without any ducts!
Sounds like you might be a good candidate for a mini split system, but you would want a professional to take a closer look at the water heater setup.
Yes! There are heat pump systems available for radiant floor heating.
The mini split can be used for cooling and heating in the warmer seasons, then the radiant heating can be used through the coldest months of winter.
You can size the heat pump for the larger load, but usually the best investment is to improve the level of insulation and efficiency of your home with weatherization and building envelope improvement.
There are lots of different heat pump sizes that can cover a whole range of home sizes and environments
Yes! Heat pumps can be installed in all of these spaces.
It depends on the size of the crawl space, but it’s definitely possible!
It’s absolutely a good idea to get tested for lead paint if you have any concerns or suspicions.
Heat pump water heaters are the most efficient way to heat water, but the tradeoff is that they heat water slightly slower and they do expel cold air.
It’s very common to upgrade a heat pump and water heater in one go!
No, heat pump water heaters all have tanks.
Air to water heat pumps work very well in a wide range of climates. Harvest Thermal uses a high efficiency heat pump water heater that is cold climate compatible, providing the same output down to 4 degrees Fahrenheit – and other cold climate heat pumps would also work well.
Yes, you can add ducting to them that allows them to pull air from the outside and then expel the cold air to the outside. It’s a great option for some climates.
It varies a lot. Some heat pumps are super quiet (37 dB peak). Others can be noisier. You should include noise in the criteria that you specify to the contractor.
Heating and cooling is either regulated by a remote or a typical thermostat.
Depending on your contractor, many will install technology that allows you to monitor and control the system from your phone.
One big thing that’s important to look at when making any big purchase is the warranty- the length of it and what it covers. EnergyStar, the Northeast Energy Efficiency Project, and Consumer Reports both offer resources that give more information about different heat pump brands and models. However, for the most part, the important things are making sure that you’re getting the heat pump that’s right for your home and climate, which is something you’ll want a trustworthy contractor’s help with.
Heat pumps usually last 10-15 years, but well-maintained ones can last up to 20-25 years.
Elephant Energy has installed many heat pumps in very cold places (ie the Colorado Front Range) and they function extremely well in that climate. They’ve also been proven effective in other very cold climate locations (for example, Alaska and Maine). However, there are many people who still think that heat pumps don’t work in this climate because up until a few years ago, heat pump technology was not robust enough for cold weather conditions. Technology improvements have now rendered this belief a myth. If you’re interest in cold climate heat pumps and our recommendations on backup heat, recommend you taking a look at our article on the topic here. The cold climate heat pumps Elephant installs function at 100% down to -5F. This article has more detail.
The refrigerants are indeed pretty impactful to the climate if released into the environment uncontrolled manner (which is against EPA regulations). HVAC professionals go through a lot of training and have strict regulations about recovering refrigerants and then returning them to a facility that can recondition the refrigerants to be reused.
Air-source heat pumps, which can be ducted or ductless, transfer heat between environments, moving heat in and out of buildings to regulate the temperature. Ground or water source heat pumps, also called geothermal heat pumps, work the same way, but use the temperature differential from the Earth to heat or cool your home rather than the surrounding air. Air-source heat pumps are more common and have a lower upfront cost than geothermal heat pumps, however, geothermal heat pumps do have a lower operating cost.
One way to encourage your landlord or management company to invest in a heat pump or heat pump hot water heater might be to point out that while there is an upfront cost, over time, they’ll be saving money on the property’s electric bill if they’re paying for utilities, and if you and other renters are paying for utilities, a lower heating and cooling bill makes a home more attractive to potential tenants. Another thing to consider is the incentives available to make it easier to electrify heating and cooling and hot water heaters.
When talking to a contractor, it’s good to ask if they have installed a heat pump before, if they have a customer reference, and if they have knowledge of concepts like energy efficiency and air sealing. It’s also good to check their license and see how long they’ve been operating.
Here are some more resources with recommended heat pump installers for different regions.
Former Public Lands Campaign, Associate, Environment America Research & Policy Center
Former Director, Environment Campaigns, U.S. PIRG Education Fund
Senior Director, Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy, Environment America Research & Policy Center
Johanna directs strategy and staff for Environment America's energy campaigns at the local, state and national level. In her prior positions, she led the campaign to ban smoking in all Maryland workplaces, helped stop the construction of a new nuclear reactor on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and helped build the support necessary to pass the EmPOWER Maryland Act, which set a goal of reducing the state’s per capita electricity use by 15 percent. She also currently serves on the board of Community Action Works. Johanna lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, with her family, where she enjoys growing dahlias, biking and the occasional game of goaltimate.