How to Save on Heat Pump Installation

If you are planning to build a new home or replace your existing HVAC system, then you’ve surely considered the traditional combination of cooling your home with an air conditioner and heating your space with a gas furnace. Recently, many homeowners are considering a more versatile alternative afforded by heat pumps. Heat pumps are a great way to save on energy bills while keeping your home warm and cool.

Air source heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps, in particular, are efficient options for homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprint. As a highly rated HVAC company, Redman Services studies the latest innovations and advises our customers on why heat pumps are becoming more popular, how heat pumps work and how to save on heat pump installation.

In Northern Indiana, heating and cooling systems must be reliable and powerful. Your family needs consistent heat to guard against the threat of frigid winter temperatures, and in the summer, when sweltering heat causes sweat and fatigue, your central air conditioning is a refuge. Redman Services, your Home Service Hero, always provides easy-to-understand options and expert guidance to help you protect your family and home.

Why Heat Pumps are Becoming so Popular

Heat pumps are becoming an increasingly popular choice for home heating and cooling due to their energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness. These systems work by extracting heat from the air or ground outside and transferring it inside to provide warmth during the winter, and they can also reverse the process to cool the home during the summer.

You may have learned more about heat pumps because the Inflation Reduction Act includes incentives for clean energy. Heat pump innovations offer homeowners an option for a heating and cooling source that does not produce any direct emissions. In addition to their environmental benefits, heat pumps also offer several advantages over traditional heating and cooling systems, such as lower energy bills and reduced maintenance costs.

With advances in technology, heat pumps are becoming even more efficient and reliable, making them a smart choice for homeowners looking for a cost-effective and eco-friendly heating and cooling solution.

What is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump does not use natural gas to generate heat like a furnace. This is why heat pumps are considered clean energy or renewable energy. Instead, a heat pump transfers heat from one location to another. When you install a heat pump system, there are two primary units – outdoor equipment and the indoor unit that operates as an air handler. Heat pumps use a refrigerant to absorb heat from the air or ground outside and then transfer it inside to provide warmth during the winter.

The process is reversed to cool your home during the summer. The indoor unit circulates air across an evaporator coil that is filled with cold refrigerant. During the heat exchange process, the temperature of indoor air is reduced and the warm refrigerant returns to the outside to repeat the cycle.

There are three main types of heat pumps commonly used in homes:

1. The first type is the ductless or mini split system, which is ideal for homes without air ducts. These systems consist of an outdoor unit that is connected to one or more indoor units via small, flexible conduit pipes. These systems can also help supplement homes with uneven heating and cooling by treating a single room like an attic, sunroom or room addition.
2. The second type is the air source heat pump, which moves heat in and out of a home depending on the season. Air source heat pumps look and operate similarly to air conditioners. Heat pumps save on annual energy costs compared to traditional air conditioners. SEER ratings help you know home efficient heat pump systems can be.
3. The third type is the geothermal heat pump, which uses the ground as a heat source and a heat sink. These systems are the most efficient design, even more than air source heat pumps.

Geothermal systems offer a long-lasting and highly durable method to deliver both warm air and cool air into your home. They provide highly flexible solutions beyond just warming and cooling air, though. Geothermal heating systems include a series of underground pipes to exchange heat with the ground on your property. The constant temperature underground provides efficient and reliable heating and cooling throughout all seasons.

Geothermal can be integrated with radiant flooring which is a powerful way to bring comfort into your home even during cold winter days. Geothermal can even heat the water in your home, providing another cost savings benefit.

Regardless of the heat pump type that best suits your home, all heat pumps use the same basic principle of transferring heat from one location to another. Air source and geothermal are incorporated into traditional HVAC systems including existing ductwork and most thermostats.

The main difference between air source and geothermal heat pumps is the source of heat that they use. Air source heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air, while geothermal heat pumps use the constant temperature underground as a heat source and heat sink. This means that geothermal heat pumps are more efficient, as the ground temperature remains relatively constant, while the outdoor air temperature fluctuates.

Additionally, geothermal heat pumps do not require outdoor units, which can be an advantage in some climates like Northern Indiana where heavy rain storms, snow accumulations and other severe weather can damage or even destroy traditional AC and air source heat pumps. However, installation of a geothermal heat pump can be more expensive and requires more excavation, as the system requires underground pipes to exchange heat with the ground.

How to Save on a New Heat Pump

You should always work with a local HVAC contractor when planning the best HVAC system for your needs. Not every HVAC company specializes in heat pumps. Redman Services helps to design systems that are customized to the unique needs of every family. Identifying the most important priorities helps you save on heat pump installation.

Our local experts can explain all the details and match a system compatible with your home. This includes consulting on the size and design of your home. A few of the questions to answer before a consultation that will guide your choice:

1. What is the condition of the existing heating and cooling system?
2. What are your current annual energy costs?
3. How long do you plan to live in your house?

Designing and building a system from scratch is different than upgrading an older system. For instance, if your furnace is new and your air conditioner fails, designing a hybrid system with an air source heat pump may be the best way to save money on initial installation and still take advantage of lower energy bills. Likewise, if you only plan to live in your home for a few years, our team probably won’t advise a geothermal system. We always act in the long-term best interest of our clients.

A geothermal heat pump may be a better choice for a larger home or a homeowner who wants the most energy-efficient option to save money over a long period of time. Unlike some systems, a geothermal heat pump can improve the value of your home if you do decide to sell. The energy savings and durability of these systems appeal to many people looking to buy a home. We help you determine the best system for your home and provide a detailed cost estimate for installation.

How Much Can You Save by Installing a Heat Pump?

Over 40% of monthly energy bills are spent on heating and cooling. Heat pumps save money through the amount of energy they use. According to the Department of Energy, heat pumps can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 50%. The exact amount of money you save depends on a number of factors. Selecting a more energy-efficient heat pump helps offset heat pump costs in energy savings.

The Inflation Reduction Act provides many homeowners incentives through tax credits. Saving money through the IRA has conditions in order to qualify.

Installing a heat pump is a big investment, but your local Home Service Hero at Redman Services can help you save on labor and the cost of the unit, and we keep an eye on the long-term benefits by explaining Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, rebates, ongoing maintenance, and, most importantly, executing proper installation.

Why is Heat Pump Installation So Expensive?

Heat pumps can be expensive for a number of reasons. First, both an air source heat pump and a geothermal system are designed to last for many years. The labor, equipment and training to install a geothermal system are greater than conventional gas furnaces. Heat pump systems are complex but also incredibly durable. It is also important to remember that heat pumps work all year round to protect your family from extreme weather. In many cases, a geothermal system replaces all other HVAC equipment.

How Long Do Heat Pumps Last?

Heat pumps are known for their durability and long lifespan, with many units lasting for 15-20 years or more. The exact lifespan of a heat pump will depend on several factors, including the type of system, the quality of the installation, and the amount of maintenance performed.

Regular maintenance performed each spring and summer protects your investment and helps to reduce energy use. You can also help extend the service life of heat pumps by cleaning and replacing filters every month. In addition, choosing a high-quality heat pump and having it installed by our highly skilled HVAC contractors ensures a longer lifespan.

A great way to optimize the strain on your heat pump and your entire HVAC system is by installing a programmable or smart thermostat. These thermostats reduce energy waste by backing off the temperature settings when you are normally out of the home. Smart thermostats even learn your behavior so your heat pump only operates when necessary.

What is the Best Temperature to Run a Heat Pump?

Heat pumps are more effective at maintaining ideal indoor humidity levels than traditional heating and cooling equipment. While air conditioners can help to dehumidify air during humid weather, furnaces are notorious for adding dry winter air to your home.

The best temperature to run a heat pump depends on a number of factors, such as the size of your home, the climate in your area, and the efficiency of your heat pump. Humidity at the proper level feels more comfortable. You are often able to set your temperature back without sacrificing comfort. In general, it’s best to keep the temperature at around 68-70°F during the winter months and around 78°F during the summer months.

At What Temperature Do Heat Pumps Become Less Efficient?

In the winter, heat pumps become less efficient when the temperature outside drops below a certain point, known as the balance point. This is because heat pumps use energy to extract heat from the air or ground outside and transfer it into your home. When the temperature outside drops, it becomes more difficult for the heat pump to extract heat, and as a result, it becomes less efficient. The exact balance point varies depending on the type of heat pump and the climate in your area, but it’s typically around 20-30°F for air source heat pumps. Geothermal heat pumps are effective in almost all conditions especially when designed and installed properly.

Heat pump technology is advancing quickly and some new air source heat pumps can provide warm air even in cold climates. In Northern Indiana, many homeowners opt for a hybrid system. This combines an air source heat pump with a gas furnace. Your heat pump system provides energy-efficient heating and your furnace supplements heat only on the coldest days. A geothermal system typically does not require the need for a furnace.

Contact Redman Services for Heat Pump Installation Service

The team at Redman Services is always eager to help homeowners plan the best way to protect their homes against the elements. When it comes to saving on heat pump systems, we provide expert consultation and ongoing support after your heat pump is installed. To save money working with our specialists is key. The biggest, most expensive heat pump system may not suit your home. Likewise, saving a few hundred dollars on outdated heat pump technology may cost you more every month. Heat pumps save money for many of our customers every month, and we are happy to help you choose the best heating and cooling solution for your family and home.