Get A Heat Pump
Overview
Heat pumps are more efficient than other heating technologies because they transfer heat instead of generating it. Heat pumps work in the same way as an air conditioner, but they can reverse the cycle to heat the building.
Image courtesy of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and EnergizeCT Heat Pump Specialists
A typical household heat pump produces at least three times more energy than it uses! The Coefficient of Performance (COP) measures how efficient the heat pump is and will typically be between 3-4. By contrast, electrical resistance heat sources, such as those used in electrical baseboards, have a COP of 1, meaning they only produce 1kWh of heat for every kWh of electrical energy they consume. A heat pump is more efficient because it transfers heat rather than generating it.
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Heat pumps are sized based on their capacity to transfer energy for heating or cooling in a unit called “tons”. A capacity of 1 ton is equivalent to a thermal energy of 12,000 Btu/hr; a 3-ton heat pump will be capable of 36,000 Btu/hr. It is important to size a heat pump based on the load of the area to be conditioned; heat pumps don’t work well if they are undersized or oversized. Make sure your contractor is experienced with heat pumps and will do an appropriate heat load calculation.
Types of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps can be either Ground Source or Air Source.
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Ground Source
A Ground Source heat pump (GSHP) transfers heat from a well or pond in the ground. Ground Source heat pumps are sometimes called Geothermal heat pumps.
Image courtesy of Dandelion Geothermal
Air Source heat pumps transfer heat from the air by circulating a refrigerant between an indoor fan coil unit and an outdoor compressor. In the winter, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air or ground and moves it inside. In the summer, the refrigerant absorbs heat from inside the home and moves it outside.
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Cold Climate Air Source heat pumps can extract heat from the air down to -13 degrees Fahrenheit.
Image courtesy of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
Air Source heat pumps are either ducted or ductless, also commonly called “Mini-Splits”. A ducted system uses an air handler designed to pair with the outdoor unit. The air handler can be placed in an attic or a closet. The closet can be a better choice than if the attic is not well insulated and air-sealed because the ductwork will either lose or gain heat from the air in the attic.
Image courtesy of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
Ductless systems can be mounted on the wall, floor, or ceiling.
Image courtesy of EnergizeCT Heat Pump Specialists
Choosing between a ducted or a ductless system is one of the first decisions. The general guidelines are to choose a ducted system if:
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You have existing ductwork in good condition that reaches all rooms, or
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You want to heat and cool your entire home evenly, or
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You prefer an installation with hidden ductwork
Or choose a ductless system if:
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You don't have existing ductwork, or
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You want to cool or heat specific rooms independently, or
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You need a flexible installation option for unique room layouts
Other Considerations
You may need backup heat if you live in a cold climate and your home is not well-insulated or air-sealed. Cost can be a deterrent, but financial incentives and rebates can make them more affordable. In the past, noise has been an issue, but new heat pumps are much quieter and run between 30 and 65 DB. Space may also be a consideration. The outdoor unit is about the same size as an air conditioner, and the indoor unit can fit in relatively small spaces, such as an attic or closet.
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We recommend using a qualified, reputable, and experienced contractor to avoid common pitfalls. Sustainable Southbury can help you find and evaluate contractors.
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Consult the Energize CTâ„ participating contractors list for heat pump installations, insulation installers, and advanced duct sealing to ensure you are eligible for the Connecticut rebates.
Our Recommended Process
Start with an Energy Audit and Assessment to help you understand energy usage & prioritize improvements, and reduce air leaks. This step lowers energy use and improves comfort. The Home Energy Solutions (HES) audit will identify rebates and financial incentives, and give you a list of options to improve the building energy efficiency.
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Consider Further Air Sealing and Adding Insulation. The attic can be the easiest and biggest impact area to start with. This will further reduce energy use and improve comfort. Rebates are available to help defer the cost.
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Gather and Analyze Quotes. The quoted costs can vary widely depending on the contractor and the included services. Check for extra costs not shown in the total amount such as fees to replace ductwork, comply with building code requirements for related work, permitting, enlarging access to the attic, and removing replaced equipment. The equipment should be checked to ensure it is the right type of heat pump for the climate and qualifies for financial incentives and rebates.
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Check References and Qualifications. Just as with any major home improvement check the quality of the work the contractor has done, that they have completed the required training, have experience installing, and maintaining heat pumps, and is familiar with the financial incentives and requirements.
​Sustainable Southbury can help find heat pump contractors, perform the heat pump quote comparisons, and help with financial rebates, incentives, and financing options.
Financial Incentives
CT Incentive programs from Energize CTâ„ offer financial incentives that provide a rebate of dollars/ton up to a limited amount. These incentives change as the program is adjusted based on funding.
Important Note: The CT State rebate must be submitted and approved before installation of the heat pump.
Federal IRS Tax Credits are available to those with taxable income under the Inflation Reduction Act.
PACE provides links to the programs and further information on the financial incentives for other HVAC incentives.
Financing Options
Find out more about loans and financing options that provide favorable financing terms. Beyond these programs, your local lending institutions and contractors may have other programs available.
Learn more about the Energize CTâ„ programs here.
View Our Heat Pump Information Sessions
HEAT PUMP INFO SESSION
Learn about how heat pumps work, the types of heat pumps, the price range, and state and federal incentives.
HEAT PUMP CONSIDERATIONS
Q&A with a local heat pump contractor to help you determine which type and size of heat pump is suitable for your home and objectives, costs and maintenance requirements, and other factors to consider.
Listen to the Heat Pump Considerations Session by clicking here.
Click here to view the slides.
HERITAGE VILLAGE HEAT PUMP EVENT
Heritage Village Event to help the villagers navigate the sometimes-tricky road to get a heat pump.
Listen to the Heat Pump Considerations Session by clicking here.
Click here to view the slides.
Learn More About Heat Pumps at HeatSmart from PACE.