{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"Citizens Utility Board","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org","title":"Decarbonization Check List | Citizens Utility Board","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"9VMn22b0zB\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/decarb-checklist\/\">Decarbonization Check List<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/decarb-checklist\/embed\/#?secret=9VMn22b0zB\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;Decarbonization Check List&#8221; &#8212; Citizens Utility Board\" data-secret=\"9VMn22b0zB\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","description":"[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Heat Pumps: A buyer\u2019s checklist&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243;][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243;][vc_column_text]Air source heat pumps are a smart choice for keeping your energy bills low and your home comfortable all year round. Much like a refrigerator, heat pumps utilize electricity to move heat from cool spaces to warm spaces and vice versa. Because heat pumps move heat rather than generate it, they are a more economically sound way of heating and cooling your home. The technology has advanced significantly to the point where efficient, cold-climate heat pumps can effectively heat your home through an Illinois winter. And the same device can cool your family in hot summers. CUB put together a step-by-step checklist to help you consider replacing your gas furnace or boiler with an air source heat pump.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Steps to switching to an air source heat pump&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243;][vc_column_text]Start planning now. Plan ahead to determine the best air source heat pump for your home, and to find a quality contractor to do the work. Waiting until your old heating or cooling system fails can be expensive. Contractors may charge extra for emergency services, and you may be tempted to buy the latest model of your old, inefficient system. Other upgrades may be necessary to ensure your home is equipped for an air-source heat pump, so planning ahead is crucial. [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Weatherize your home. Before you switch to an air-source heat pump, improve your home\u2019s energy efficiency. That will ensure your heat pump is working at its maximum potential.\u00a0 Start by checking with your utility to complete a free Home Energy Assessment, or hire a contractor to do a home audit, which is a more comprehensive assessment. The free assessment or audit helps to prioritize insulation and weatherization projects for your home.\u00a0 Home Energy Assessments are run by utilities and often for income-qualified utility customers, but no matter your income, you should check what your electric utility offers. In a Home Energy Assessment,\u00a0 an energy expert makes efficiency recommendations and can provide energy-saving products (LEDs, low-flow shower heads, pipe insulation) for free.\u00a0 A home energy audit\u2013a much more comprehensive process that can take several hours\u2013will test your home and show you where you lose heat due to unsealed windows or a lack of insulation. CUB strongly encourages getting an audit prior to getting a heat pump. It\u2019s an important first step in ensuring your home will be comfortable with a heat pump. There are also tax credits that will allow you to subsidize the cost. Improving your home\u2019s insulation will not only help you save money and make your home more comfortable, but it also is critical to installing a heat pump. Insulation helps to ensure that you buy a heat pump that is the correct size and capacity for your home. This avoids wasting money buying the wrong heat pump.\u00a0[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Shop around to find quality heat pump installers. Most air source heat pump manufacturers certify installers and list them on their websites (Mitsubishi, Daikin, Carrier, LG, Trane, etc). This is a great starting place to find qualified installers. You should get at least three quotes and make sure you feel comfortable with [&hellip;]","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/CUB_IL_LogoBadgeRGBAdminLogo.png","thumbnail_width":254,"thumbnail_height":254}