If you need to upgrade your existing HVAC system or install one in a newly built home, you have many options to choose from. One system that offers many benefits to Salem, OR residents is a heat pump. These systems are capable of both heating and cooling your residence. They’re designed with efficiency in mind, which will allow you to reduce your home’s energy consumption.
What Are Heat Pumps?
A heat pump is an HVAC system that can increase or decrease the temperature in your home. While there are several types of heating systems that offer the same benefits, heat pumps use less energy than boilers, electric radiators, and furnaces.
They are made with fans, refrigerant, and metal coils to absorb heat from outside the home and transfer it inside. When placed in cooling mode, this mechanism is reversed. Over the past decade, the performance of these systems has improved considerably.
Types of Heat Pumps to Consider
There are many types of heat pump systems that you can buy for your home. They include everything from air-source systems to ground-source models. Air-source systems are often easier to install than their ground-source counterparts. They obtain heat from the outside even when the temperature is cool.
If you have ducts in your home, you can purchase a ducted system that functions like a central air conditioner. Otherwise, you may need a ductless mini-split. Keep in mind that newer models are capable of heating homes even when the outdoor temperatures are below zero.
Ground-source systems use geothermal energy to heat and cool your residence. They work by absorbing heat from holes that are dug into the ground around your property. Since the underground temperature is consistently between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit no matter the time of the year, a ground-source heat pump is highly efficient.
Heat Pumps Can Lower Energy Bills
Since heat pumps are typically more efficient than other HVAC systems, you may be able to save money on your monthly energy bills. Look for heat pumps with a high SEER rating.
While most heat pumps offer high efficiency, mini-split systems are typically the most efficient. The amount of money you save depends on the current system you use. Heat pumps have higher efficiency than many systems that are based on electric resistance, oil, or propane.
Improved Safety
With a gas furnace, there’s always the potential for a carbon monoxide or natural gas leak. Since heat pumps run on electricity, they don’t produce fumes or open flames while running.
More Effective With Solar Panels
Heat pumps are even more beneficial when you combine them with solar panels. The energy you produce from these panels can be collected and transferred to your heat pump, which means that you could run this system entirely with renewable energy.
Possible Tax Benefits
One reason why you should consider a heat pump is that you can claim tax breaks if you add one to your home. Any homeowner who installs a heat pump before December 31, 2032 may be able to qualify for this credit. It’s available from the IRS and can be claimed on your tax return.
For heat pumps, the tax credit equals 30% of the project costs for a maximum amount of $2,000. These costs can include installation and equipment expenses. Let’s say that the heat pump costs $1,500. In this scenario, your credit could amount to $450. If the entire project costs $9,000, you’d likely qualify for the maximum $2,000 credit.
If you install the heat pump in 2025, the credit will apply for that tax season when you submit your return in 2026. This tax break is part of the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, which means that there isn’t a lifetime dollar limit. You’re able to claim the maximum amount every year if you continue to make eligible improvements.
How to Qualify
If you wish to qualify for the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, you’ll need to install the heat pump in your primary residence, which is the home you live in most of the time. The home also needs to be an existing property instead of a newly constructed one.
Before you apply, make sure that the heat pump offers ample energy efficiency. You can qualify for this tax credit whether you select a ductless or ducted system. Oregon residents must purchase a heat pump with the ENERGY STAR label to qualify. However, the requirements vary depending on the type of system you purchase.
If you obtain a ductless heat pump, it will need to have an ENERGY STAR Cold Climate certification with an HSPF rating of at least 9.5. The HSPF rating for a ducted system only needs to be 8.5 or higher to qualify.
Heat Pumps Help the Environment
While heat pump systems use electricity to change the temperature in your home, they are typically more efficient than other heating and cooling systems. They create around 40% less carbon dioxide emissions than gas furnaces. If you purchase a ductless heat pump, you won’t experience air loss because of inefficient ductwork. Heat pumps can produce more than three times as much energy as they use.
Greater Indoor Comfort
Heat pumps can also increase the comfort in your home. When the outdoor temperature is hot and humid, your heat pump can remove moisture from the air. You can also use the heat pump system as a dehumidifier during the fall season to effectively maintain indoor air temperatures.
These systems use a variable speed, which allows them to distribute air more efficiently. The variable-speed functionality is more advanced than a single-stage or multi-stage version.
It works by taking the interior and exterior temperatures and humidity levels into account when calculating how much time is needed to reach your preferred temperature. A variable-speed system can range from 25% to 100% capacity. Since variable-speed heat pumps run at low speeds most of the time, they don’t consume as much energy.
Ducts Aren’t Required
If your home doesn’t have ducts, installing them might be cost-prohibitive. Instead, consider buying a ductless heat pump for your home. These mini-split systems come with an outdoor condenser unit that allows cool air or heat to be transferred into your house.
The outdoor unit is paired with at least one indoor air handler. This connection is made possible with a refrigerant line. You can place multiple air handler units around your home to ensure every room has access to heating and cooling. The indoor units can be mounted to your wall or suspended from your ceiling.
Do you feel that a heat pump is right for your home? At Woodward Heating Air Plumbing, our team has experience installing many makes and models of heat pumps. We’re also able to perform maintenance and repairs on existing heat pumps. If you’re buying a new heat pump, we can pair it with the right thermostat. Some of the other services you can request for your Salem, OR home include furnace services, indoor air quality testing, water treatment, and drain cleaning. In fact, we perform a full line of plumbing and HVAC services. Contact us at Woodward Heating Air Plumbing today to learn more about heat pumps.
