If you’re looking for an energy efficient way to keep your home warm in the winter, heat pumps and ductless mini split heat pumps are great options. But are they better than other types of home heating systems, and should you replace your furnace with a heat pump?
Every home is different and the best heating system for you will depend on many factors, including your current heating and duct system and your personal preferences. But in many cases, heat pumps are the best choice for Massachusetts and Rhode Island homes.
Heat Pumps vs Furnance vs Boilers: What’s the Difference?
There are three main options when it comes to home heating:
- Heat pumps: Heat pumps don’t generate heat—they transfer it from one place to another the same way a refrigerator does. They come in ducted and ductless versions and run on electricity.
- Furnaces: Furnaces can run on propane, natural gas, or electricity. They generate heat and distribute it throughout your home via a forced-air duct system.
- Boilers: Boilers use natural gas, oil, or electricity to heat water. Radiators move the water via pipes throughout your home and the heat they give off warms the air.
Heat Pumps Have Many Advantages Over Furnaces & Boilers
If you have an old, inefficient gas furnace or boiler, a heat pump is almost definitely going to be a better option for heating your home. Modern high-efficiency furnaces, however, can be great for Massachusetts and Rhode Island homes. In many cases, it comes down to preference and what you want to get out of your home heating system. Heat pumps have capabilities that furnaces and boilers don’t, which makes them the better choice for many homeowners.
Heat Pumps Can Heat AND Cool
One of the main differences between heat pumps and furnances/boilers is that heat pumps can heat and cool your home. In a traditional heating system, you need a furnace or boiler for heating and a separate air conditioning system for cooling. But with a heat pump, you get heat and AC in one. This is more convenient and it can save you money on HVAC installation and maintenance costs since you only have one system to deal with instead of two.
Mini Split Heat Pumps Don’t Need Ductwork
Mini split heat pumps are incredibly convenient because they don’t need to be connected to ductwork. This makes them easier and more affordable to install than ducted HVAC systems in many cases. They are also great for adding supplemental heating or air conditioning to problem areas like a room that’s never warm or cold enough, or to a recent addition or finished basement that doesn’t have duct access.
Heat Pumps Don’t Use Fossil Fuel
Heat pump systems run on electricity instead of fossil fuel, which is better for the environment and can help reduce your home’s carbon footprint. Stopping the use of fossil fuels for heating is also safer for your family since it eliminates the risk of a carbon monoxide leak.
Heat Pumps are Energy Efficient
The high-efficiency heat pumps and mini split systems that we install are incredibly efficient and can save you money on your energy bills, especially if you pair your heat pump installation with an insulation and air sealing upgrade.
Heat Pumps Qualify for Up to $10,000 in Mass Save Rebates
If you live in Massachusetts, you can qualify for up to $10,000 in heat pump rebates through the Mass Save program, making your heat pump or mini split installation significantly more affordable. Baylies Insulation is a certified Mass Save contractor and we can help you take advantage of heat pump rebates, insulation rebates, 0% financing, and more!
Starting in 2023, heat pump installation will also qualify for the new 30% energy efficiency tax credit. This tax credit allows you to reduce what you own in federal income tax by 30% of your heat pump installation costs!
Baylies is the local heat pump company homeowners in Worcester, Plymouth, Kingston, Warren, and many other Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities trust. We can help you choose the best heating system for your home so you can keep your family safe and warm this winter.
