Six common questions about heat pumps
Heat pumps are one of the most popular upgrades going into Peterborough homes. Hundreds of homeowners have made the switch and are enjoying energy-efficient heating and cooling with a fraction of the greenhouse gas emissions of a fossil-fuel based heating system. But do they work? And how? Here are some of the most common questions the Better Homes Peterborough team gets about heat pumps. Have your own questions? Book a consultation with our Energy Coach.
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is a dual-purpose system that provides both heating and cooling for a home. A heat pump works just like an air conditioner in the summertime: by removing heat from your home and pumping it outside using refrigerant lines. It also works in reverse in the winter, extracting heat from the outdoor air (even in very cold temperatures!) and pumping it inside the home. Because heat pumps are moving heat rather than burning fuel to generate heat, they are highly efficient, producing 2 to 3 times more heat energy than the electricity they use to operate.
Why are people choosing to install heat pumps?
There are a few reasons to consider a heat pump. Depending on your current heating system, you may see significant bill reductions because of the efficiency of the system (more below). Heat pumps also drastically cut down a home’s greenhouse gas emissions compared to a fossil fuel based heating system like a natural gas, oil or propane furnace.
There are also rebates and financing programs available to support the purchase of heat pumps (such as Better Homes Peterborough). When a heating or cooling system is up for replacement, heat pumps are often a great option.
What types of heat pumps are there?
Most Peterborough homeowners are installing air source heat pumps in their homes. These heat pumps work similarly to an air conditioner, with an outdoor unit which looks like a large box fan. Inside the house, the system can be configured in a few different ways. In homes with ductwork, an air handler is used to circulate the warm (or cool) air through the ducts. In homes without ductwork, wall unit mini-splits, usually installed at the top of the wall, can heat and cool the rooms they are in.
What about very cold temperatures?
New cold climate heat pumps can produce heat down to very cold temperatures, with some units rated down to -30 C or below. However, they do lose some efficiency as the temperature drops, and depending on the insulation levels in the home and the size of the heat pump, they may not be able to produce quite enough heat in extreme cold. This is why most heat pumps are installed with a backup system, which can work in different ways. A central heat pump with electric backup has an electric resistance coil which can work at the same time as the heat pump to boost up the temperature when necessary. If a gas or propane furnace is used as backup, then in most cases the heat pump switches off and the furnace takes over during very cold temperatures.
Exactly when the backup system kicks in will depend on the type and size of heat pump, the insulation levels in the home, the outdoor temperature, and how the thermostat is configured. Some homeowners find they almost never use the backup system. In large, drafty older homes with poor insulation, the backup system will be relied upon more, especially as the temperature drops.
Is a heat pump right for my home?
Heat pumps, like any heating system, work best in homes that are airtight and well-insulated. While it is best practice to insulate and seal up a home as much as possible before installing a heat pump, in reality this isn’t always possible to do. Even homes with lower levels of insulation can drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by installing a heat pump, though they may rely more on the backup system when the temperature drops. If you end up installing a heat pump before you’ve improved your building envelope, you may find that its performance improves once you’ve done other upgrades. If you are planning major upgrades to the home, make sure your contractor knows about it so they can appropriately size the heating system.
How will my energy bills change after installing a heat pump?
This is probably the most common question Peterborough homeowners have, and unfortunately the answer is: it depends!
If you are currently heating with oil, propane, or electricity, switching to a heat pump will provide immediate savings – some homeowners reduce their costs by 50% or more, especially if combined with airtightness or insulation improvements to the building.
If you’re heating with natural gas, you will see large energy savings by switching to a heat pump, because the heat pump is at least twice as efficient as a gas furnace. However, you may not see large cost savings due to the relatively low current cost of natural gas in Ontario, when compared to electricity. Most homeowners who switch from a gas furnace to a heat pump find heating costs remain about the same. Electricity costs will go up, and gas costs will go down, mostly balancing each other out. Some smart thermostats will toggle between the heat pump and gas furnace depending on what is the lowest cost at that temperature and time of day. But if lowering greenhouse gas emissions is important to you, then the best option is to use the heat pump as much as possible.
If you’re replacing an older, less efficient air conditioner, then your air conditioning costs will be lower, as heat pumps are more efficient at cooling air.
Have more questions? Book your energy coaching consultation!
Author: Clara Blakelock, BHPTBO Energy Coach