Clean Heating & Cooling

Chances are your home is powered by natural gas, propane, fuel oil, or wood. Burning these fuel sources is not efficient, can result in higher energy bills, and contributes to dirty air and climate change. A heat pump is a more efficient way to heat and cool your home using electricity.

Many of us will only have one chance to upgrade the heating and cooling in our home. If you have an older furnace or boiler, now is the time to get your home “heat pump ready!”

In New York State, conventional heating and cooling systems are responsible for 37% of the energy we use and 32% of greenhouse gas emissions.

Benefits of a Heat Pump 

  • Efficient - Heat pumps are more efficient than conventional oil, propane, or electric resistance heating systems.

  • Cool - Heat pumps are a 2 for 1 deal; replacing your heating and cooling.

  • Comfortable - Heat pumps provide quiet, even heating and cooling throughout your home, year-round.

  • Easy - Heat pumps are low maintenance, because they use the same components for both heating and cooling.

  • Clean, healthy, and safe - Heat pumps are fossil fuel and carbon monoxide free.

  • Affordable - Financial incentives are available to make heat pumps more affordable than ever.

How does a heat pump work?

A modern heat pump uses electricity to heat and cool your home, rather than fossil fuels. Heat pumps work like your fridge, moving energy rather than creating it. That’s why they are so efficient! 

In cooler months, a heat pump pulls heat from the cold outdoor air and brings it indoors, and in warmer months, it pulls heat out of indoor air to cool your home.  Your reliable heat pump will keep you comfortable during summer heat waves or sub-zero temperatures. 

Types of heat pumps

There are two main types of heat pumps: air-source and ground-source heat pumps.

    • Air-source heat pumps - These heat pumps transfer heat between the air inside and outside your home. They are popular for residential heating and cooling, easy to install, and up to 50% more efficient than a conventional oil furnace. 

    • Ground-source heat pumps - Sometimes called geothermal heat pumps, these heat pumps transfer heat between the air in your home and the ground outside. These are more expensive to install but are typically more efficient and have a lower operating cost. That’s because the temperature of the ground deep below your home actually stays consistent year-round. They are up to 3x more efficient than a conventional oil furnace. 

How much is a heat pump?

The cost of a heat pump will depend on the type of heat pump as well as the size and unique characteristics of your home. A qualified HVAC installer can advise you on the cost of the right heat pump for your home.

Many residents can bring down the cost of a heat pump significantly with tax credits and rebates. If you qualify for SNAP or HEAP benefits, you could save even more on a heat pump! After rebates and incentives, an air-source heat pump can cost an average of $10,000–$15,000 installed, whereas a ground-source heat pump can cost upwards of $18,000–$25,000 installed. 

It’s worth thinking about the cost you would already have to pay for a gas-powered replacement, the fact that heat pumps replace your heat and air conditioning, and the potential for lower operating costs, particularly if you’re switching from propane or fuel oil.

What heat pump do I need?

Need help determining the heat pump system that might be best for your home? Check out this simple heat pump planner: https://cleanheat.ny.gov/planner/quiz/

FAQs

(Click to expand.)

  • Heat pump technology has come a long way in the last 10 years. Older heat pumps used to struggle during cold winters like ours, but today’s heat pumps perform well even in places like Maine, Alaska, or - you guessed it - upstate New York.

  • Routinely replace or clean your air filters to lower your central heat pump’s energy consumption. Check your heat pump’s evaporator coil every year and clean it as necessary (air-source heat pumps only). Have a qualified contractor service the central heat pump once a year

  • ~15 years for an air-source heat pump, and ~25 years for a ground-source heat pump.

  • With the right heat pump and system design for your home and regional climate, a backup heating system should not be necessary.

  • It’s always a good idea to upgrade your insulation and seal any air leaks, regardless of how you heat your home. But good insulation is especially beneficial in homes that use heat pumps. Heat pumps heat more gently than other systems—it’s a constant trickle of warm air, rather than blasts of heat every few hours. Seal up cracks and gaps to make sure you’re not trying to heat and cool the whole neighborhood. Weatherization Assistance Programs can help.

  • In cooling mode, efficiency is commonly expressed as the seasonal energy-efficiency rating, or SEER. The higher the SEER, the greater the efficiency. In heating mode, the measurement used is heating seasonal performance factor, or HSPF. Again, the higher the number, the more energy-efficient the unit.

  • Programmable thermostats are generally not recommended for heat pumps, because changing the temperature frequently can make the heat pump operate less efficiently.