Is a Heat Pump a Good Idea for My Home?

June 15, 2023

A heat pump can significantly change how you experience heating and cooling in your home. 

You may notice:

  • Your heating bills are lower because heat pumps are more efficient than high-efficiency furnaces and boilers. 
  • Your indoor air feels less humid because heat pumps excel at controlling moisture in the air. Air conditioners help reduce humidity too, but heat pumps do it better. 
  • Less humidity in the summer means better indoor air quality (IAQ). Too much humidity leads to the growth of mold and mildew, which can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms.  
  • You may feel safer with a heat pump because it does not create toxins, such as carbon monoxide (CO), through combustion like a furnace. There is no risk of a CO leak. 
  • Your heat pump is more versatile than other heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment because it can heat and cool your home. 

Heat pumps are more than just a good idea. They deliver efficient heating and cooling without burning fossil fuels, putting them at the vanguard of the nationwide electrification movement. But are they best for you?

At Carrier Cooling Center, we know that heat pumps are a solid choice for many Americans, especially homeowners in the Western United States. We can help you find local HVAC experts to answer your questions about heat pumps and install a system that best suits your home. 

We work with Carrier Factory Authorized Dealers in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, locations throughout California, and El Paso, Texas. Click on our Find A Dealer link to browse our extensive directory of heating and cooling companies. 

How Does a Heat Pump Work?

A heat pump and an air conditioner transfer heat to cool your home. They both extract heat from indoor air and blow the cooled air back into your living space. They move the heat they extract via refrigerant to the outdoors.  

That is where the similarity ends. A heat pump also can reverse the cooling process and heat your home. In heating mode, it extracts heat from the outdoors and moves it indoors. An air-source heat pump transfers heat through the air. A geothermal heat pump moves heat from underground or a body of water. 

Air-Source vs. Geothermal

Air-source heat pumps can sometimes struggle to keep you warm as the outdoor temperature drops to single digits and lower.  Geothermal heat pumps harvest energy from a few feet below the planet’s surface, where temperatures are much more consistent. 

Whether a geothermal system will work for your home depends on the size of your yard, soil conditions, and budget. It requires excavating your yard and installing pipes in a horizontal pattern or a deeper vertical position. 

A geothermal system is more expensive than an air-source heat pump, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says you can recoup the additional cost in energy savings in five to 10 years.

Ductless Mini Splits

If you plan to replace your gas or oil furnace with an air-source heat pump, you can use the existing ductwork in your home. If you have no air ducts or your ductwork is old and damaged beyond repair, consider installing a ductless mini split system. 

This system consists of a heat pump connected to one or more indoor air handlers. Each air handler mounts on the wall or in the ceiling and provides heated or cooled air to the surrounding space. Each has a thermostat, enabling you to set different temperatures from room to room.

Saving Money on Heat Pumps

There is no better time to buy a heat pump. Federal tax credits are available through 2032 for air-source and geothermal systems. The maximum credit is $2,000 for an air-source heat pump and up to 30 percent on the purchase and installation of a geothermal system. 

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 also provides federal dollars for rebates. State energy offices are creating and implementing rebate programs to reduce the cost of heat pumps at the point of purchase. The maximum heat pump rebate will be $8,000—but it is based on income. The money may become available to consumers late this year or early 2024. 

Find a Heat Pump Expert

Let Carrier Cooling Center simplify your heat pump project. Find a knowledgeable heat pump expert through our directory of Carrier factory-authorized dealers.