August 6, 2024

Heat Pumps Tips for Maximizing Your Savings

5 Min. Read

Heat pumps represent the future of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC), promising widespread energy efficiency and substantial cost savings, but for many, this is a new concept, and heat pumps are not as popular or commonly known as other energy transition technologies such as electric vehicles, solar panels, or battery storage.

Unlike traditional HVAC solutions, heat pumps displace existing heat instead of generating it, which results in benefits, including home energy savings, increased comfort, and a reduced carbon footprint.

In this article, we’ll explore heat pump technology and take a closer look at why savvy homeowners are switching to heat pumps, plus share heat pump tips on how to get the most out of these appliances.

Benefits of Heat Pumps over Traditional HVACs

Heat pumps are revolutionizing the HVAC market, and with federal tax credits of up to $2,000 available, combined with substantial energy savings, heat pumps are an appealing choice for modern homeowners.

Different Types of Heat Pumps

The heat pump market is diverse, with one of the main distinctions between heat pump models being the source of heat used. Most heat pumps extract heat from outdoor air, but geothermal models that displace heat from the ground or even models that use water as a heat source are available and might be a better fit depending on where you live.

You can also choose between ducted and ductless models depending on what you prefer for your home. While ducted heat pumps push warm air through a network of ducts, ductless systems utilize refrigerant to transport heat to different rooms within your home.

You can find the type of heat pump that best fits your climate, with features such as variable-speed compressors, which are ideal for cold climates, or two-speed heat pumps that allow for comfortable zone control.

Ultimately, the best heat pump type for your needs will depend on multiple factors, such as the size of your home, your lifestyle, and the climate in your area.

What Makes Heat Pumps Better at Home Energy Reduction?

Heat pump energy efficiency is superior because these appliances displace existing heat rather than generate it.

Heat pumps are also better at creating a uniform temperature throughout your home thanks to their improved airflow compared to traditional HVAC systems, meaning that a heat pump doesn’t have to run for as long or as often as a furnace or AC unit to achieve the same results, creating energy savings.

Additionally, increased airflow is beneficial for indoor air quality and can help reduce humidity, contributing to a more stable temperature. Homeowners also report quieter operations compared to traditional HVAC systems, helping to enhance comfort.

Heat Pump Tips for Cost Savings

Following heat pump tips, such as maintaining a steady temperature and keeping up with maintenance, can reduce your energy usage by 31 to 47%. Heat pumps can also lower your environmental footprint by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from heating by an impressive 75%.

How to Properly Set a Thermostat to Save Money

One of the best heat pump tips is to properly set your thermostat to maximize savings.

During the fall and spring, you can save on your energy bills by turning the “auto” mode off to prevent the heat pump from constantly switching between heating and cooling modes. Maintaining a steady temperature can also reduce energy consumption by allowing the heat pumps to make small adjustments.

Combining a heat pump with a smart thermostat is one of the best and most efficient heat pump tips. This simple upgrade allows you to create a heating and cooling schedule based on occupancy or time of day and you can leverage this smart energy management add-on to prevent frequent switching between heating and cooling. It can also be beneficial to consider a smart panel upgrade for more advanced control over your energy consumption.

Heat Pump Maintenance Tips

In addition to following programmable thermostat tips, you can further reduce your energy usage by keeping up with routine heat pump servicing and maintenance.

Heat pump maintenance can be done every month and includes cleaning the outdoor unit, checking duct vents for obstructions, and cleaning or replacing air filters routinely as needed.

You should also have an HVAC professional stop by for a maintenance call every six months. In addition to teaching you to clean your heat pump, an HVAC expert can perform advanced maintenance tasks, such as cleaning the air exchanger, checking refrigerant levels, inspecting moving parts, installing software updates, calibrating temperature sensors, and more.

We also recommend using a smart monitor to keep an eye on heat pump performance and energy consumption so you can spot and address any changes early on.

Utilize Zoning and Smart Features

Another benefit of heat pumps is utilizing zoning for your HVAC system. Dampers can be added to ducts to direct warm or cool air to specific rooms, while ductless systems can use mini-splits to adjust the temperature independently in each room.

HVAC zoning allows you to heat or cool your home based on current occupancy and usage. For instance, you could limit heating to your bedroom at night or only heat your home office during the day.

Combining a heat pump with zoning will help you save even more on energy bills. To maximize results from your heat pump, you can also explore whole-home electrification solutions, invest in smart home automation products, and power your heat pump with renewable energy systems to heat and cool your home with clean energy.

Maximize Energy Savings With Qmerit

With their increased energy efficiency, a higher level of comfort, and cost savings over traditional heating and cooling appliances, heat pumps are the future of HVAC.

Whether you’re considering a heat pump installation or have already embraced electric heating and cooling, maximizing your energy usage and cost savings with these tips will help you make the most of your system.

The right HVAC contractor can help you explore your options or get more out of an existing heat pump. When it comes to investing in a heat pump, deciding which appliance you’re going to install can be a big decision, but finding a qualified electrical contractor to install your heat pump should be easy.

Qmerit can help. With the largest and most experienced network of electrification professionals across the U.S. and Canada, we’re here to make going electric as seamless as possible—and with Qmerit’s easy-to-use rebates and incentive finder, you know you’re getting a good deal without compromising on the quality and safety of your installation.

Fill out our form for a whole-home electrification assessment or check out how Qmerit can help turn your home into a PowerHouse with custom solar and electrification solutions that are crafted to meet your needs.