Heat Pumps Archives | Citizens Utility Board

Get the details on geothermal heat pumps

Elizabeth — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 20:19:16 +0000

By: David Weaver Carbon-Free Buildings Coordinator The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that geothermal heat pumps are the most energy-efficient system to heat and cool buildings and water. But how do they work? Will they work for my home? How much money will it save me? Should I make the investment? When I was asked to research a few questions about geothermal heat pumps for a consumer, I had no idea it would lead me down a path to talking to consumers and experts across our state, visiting networked geothermal buildings and working to reduce barriers for consumers. Keep reading to learn about these incredibly efficient systems and if one might be a good fit for your home. What are geothermal heat pumps and how do they work? Heat pump systems are another method for heating and cooling your home in a more energy-efficient and cost-effective manner. Much like a refrigerator, heat pump systems utilize electricity to move heat from cool spaces to warm spaces and vice versa. In the case of geothermal heat pumps, they move heat from the ground to your home or from your home to the ground. They can even move this heat to your water providing extremely efficient water heating. Because heat pump systems move heat rather than generate it, they are a more economically sound way of warming your home. Geothermal heat pumps can reduce energy costs by up to 70 percent compared to traditional heating and cooling systems. Are they capable of keeping my home comfortable? Geothermal heat pumps are incredibly reliable and capable of ensuring comfort for homeowners year-round. Whereas furnaces and most radiators rely on burning natural gas to create heat, geothermal heat pumps simply move heat to and from the ground which is much more energy efficient. And as the ground a few feet below the surface remains in the 50–60 degree temperature range year-round, these systems are resilient to extreme weather conditions. Just be sure your installer uses the Air Conditioning Contractors of America Manuel J for heat gain-heat loss calculations. That will ensure they “right-size” your system (make it the optimal size) and perform yearly maintenance. (Got a good story about a heat pump? Reach out to CUB’s Zoe Huspen.) What’s this going to cost and save me? There are many variables when factoring in both the upfront cost and energy savings associated with installing geothermal heat pumps. The prices can vary significantly based on the home, labor costs, drilling costs and model type. However, $30,000 is a representative price for your average-sized home. Fortunately, there has never been a better time to install such a system, as there are many incentives to help reduce the cost of geothermal heat pumps. The Inflation Reduction Act has created incentives for heat pumps that can be combined with existing utility company rebates. There is a 30 percent federal renewable energy tax credit for the total cost of installation. (This tax credit is uncapped, and it can be spread over multiple tax years.) On top of that, consumers can get a $2,000 energy efficiency tax credit for heat pumps. Learn more about […]

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What’s the deal with air source heat pumps? CUB investigates

Elizabeth — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 17:43:18 +0000

By David Weaver Carbon Free Buildings Coordinator Do you have questions about Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)? What are they? How do they work? Are they capable of heating my home in the winter? Will they save me money? Should I make the switch? These are all important questions that we get asked almost daily here at CUB, and to make sure we are able to provide the most accurate information to our consumers, I had to start researching and asking some experts. What are air source heat pumps and how do they work? Heat pump systems are another method for heating and cooling your home in a more energy-efficient and cost-effective manner. Much like a refrigerator, heat pump systems utilize electricity to move heat from cool spaces to warm spaces and vice versa. Because heat pump systems move heat rather than generate it, they are a more economically sound way of warming your home. This is because when properly installed, an ASHP can provide 300% more heat energy to a home than electricity used. ASHPs can use a home’s existing ductwork or use mini-splits. Mini-splits have a head that goes up on the wall and depending on your home’s needs you can install heads in various rooms with each controlled separately. Are they capable of keeping my home comfortable? ASHPs are more efficient at cooling homes than air conditioning units and should have no issue keeping homes cool in the summer as long as they are properly designed. In fact, as many models of ASHPs, especially cold climate heat pumps, have variable speed compressors, they are often considered more comfortable than A/C units because they can maintain a steady temperature, whereas A/C units often have to turn on and off throughout the day causing significant temperature fluctuations in the home. Cold Climate ASHPs operate more efficiently and less expensively than furnaces, electric resistance heaters and broilers. Of course this efficiency advantage lessons on frigid days, when the temperature drops below zero for an extended period of time. Some models are designed to work with backup electric heating or another system that kicks in at a certain temperature. However, a properly designed cold climate air source heat pump can keep a home comfortable even on days when the ambient temperature goes below -13 degrees. One way to improve the performance of your heat pump is to make sure your home is properly insulated and weatherized. John McKinnon installed a heat pump to cool and heat his family’s home, a more than 100 year-old building in Chicago that didn’t have air conditioning. “We were already interested in energy efficiency and to stop using polluting fossil fuels, (fortunately) the upfront costs of the heat pump (which cools and heats) were almost the same as putting in a new A/C system,” he wrote. “So to us it wasn’t much of a choice because we saved money with energy efficient rebates, will continue to save money over time, and it was another move towards electrifying our building.” The ASHP performed well in their first summer and winter. “The temperature is very balanced with units installed throughout our […]

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CUB Q&A: What’s a heat pump, and how is it a key to our clean energy future?

Jim Chilsen — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 21:58:17 +0000

With the ever-changing landscape of utilities and energy in Illinois, one topic that has recently gained traction is the use of heat pump systems. In addition to their potential to save consumers money, heat pumps are frequently cited as a way to promote more equitable changes in energy policy, and decarbonize buildings around the state. But what are heat pump systems? Are they a viable alternative to traditional heating and cooling appliances? In this WatchBlog article, we will answer some of the most common questions associated with heat pumps. Q: What is a heat pump system? A: Simply put, heat pump systems are another method for heating (as well as cooling) your home in a more energy efficient and cost-effective manner. Much like a refrigerator, heat pump systems utilize electricity to move heat from cool spaces to warm spaces, and vice versa. Because heat pump systems merely move heat, rather than generate it, they are a more economically sound way of warming your home. Q: Are there different types of systems? A: Heat pump systems can transfer heat between your home and either the outside air temperature or the temperature of the earth below the ground. The most common systems, air-to-air pumps, which transfer heat between the inside of your home and the outside air. Utilized in many places around the southern United States, air-to-air systems are increasingly common in all regions of the country due to the development of technology that allows them to operate in subfreezing temperatures. These systems are very easy to install, and can work in new homes as well as existing homes regardless of whether the homes have existing forced air systems. Geothermal heat pumps are higher-efficiency systems that transfer both hot and cold air between your home and the ground, or a nearby water source. These systems tend to have a higher cost to install. But since the subterranean layer of the Earth’s crust remains at a relatively constant temperature, geothermal heat pumps are ultimately the most effective way to heat and cool your home, and can reduce energy use by between 30% – 60%. Q: So who can use a heat pump system? A: Fortunately, the technology behind heat pump systems is continuously advancing, making it more affordable for everyday consumers. While geothermal systems may cost more upfront, the systems pay for themselves as the consumer continues to use less and less energy to heat their home. Modern infrastructure, particularly the development of all-electric homes and buildings, means that heat pump systems are increasingly common around the U.S. While many people may equate this type of construction with major cities, a recent Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) study revealed that rural rural Midwesterners could save up to $14,000 over 15 years by switching from propane furnaces to electric heat pumps. A more recent version of that RMI study found that newly constructed all-Electric homes are cheaper to build and operate across the country, including the Midwest. Q: Why are heat pump systems important? A: Heat pumps can help eliminate carbon pollution that causes climate change. Heat pumps use electricity rather than burning gas on-site at your home or business. As the grid changes and uses more wind and solar and less coal and gas, the pollution associated with heat pumps will continue to decrease as well. They are also so efficient that they already have a total pollution profile that is better than gas furnaces or […]

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