{"id":36848,"date":"2023-03-01T11:43:18","date_gmt":"2023-03-01T17:43:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/?p=36848"},"modified":"2025-01-17T17:11:51","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T23:11:51","slug":"whats-the-deal-with-air-source-heat-pumps-cub-investigates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2023\/03\/01\/whats-the-deal-with-air-source-heat-pumps-cub-investigates\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the deal with air source heat pumps? CUB investigates"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Group<\/p>\n

By David Weaver
\n<\/em>Carbon Free Buildings Coordinator<\/em><\/p>\n

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?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are air source heat pumps and how do they work?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Air<\/strong><\/p>\n

Heat pump systems are another method for heating and cooling your home in a more energy-effi<\/span>cient 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\u00a0have a head that goes up on the wall and depending on your home’s needs\u00a0you can install heads in various rooms with each\u00a0controlled separately.<\/p>\n

Are they capable of keeping my home comfortable?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n