(Tompkins Weekly, 10-23-24, by Harrison Hensley)
Have you heard of but are skeptical of heat pumps? Local expert Ian Shapiro helps explain how heat pumps work and debunks common misconceptions. Shapiro is the founder of Taitem Engineering and has worked on heat pump design and research for over 30 years.
The two types of heat pumps are air source and ground source, Shapiro said, and “they are both harvesting free heat from the outdoors.”
“They are extracting heat from either the air — that’s an air source heat pump — or from the ground — that’s a ground source heat pump — and that heat is free,” he said.
Shapiro likened a heat pump to a refrigerator, which extracts heat that enters the fridge when the door is opened and sends it back to the kitchen, keeping your food cold in the process. Similarly, heat pumps extract heat from one location and send it to another — from inside your home to outside to cool your home during hot months, and from outside your home to inside to heat your home during the cold months.
Myth 1: Heat pumps don’t work in cold climates
This myth may have arisen because, originally, heat pumps were designed for milder regions that rarely experienced freezing temperatures. [DM1] However, in the last several years, modern heat pumps — with variable-speed compressors and enhanced refrigerants — are designed to operate efficiently in temperatures as low as -15°F, if the home is properly insulated.
Ian said that, because of this, “Correctly sized heat pumps do not need backup heat.”
Today’s cold climate heat pumps have been designed to work efficiently even in our northeastern climate, and people are taking advantage of the benefits they provide. Data from the Southern Tier region backs this up. According to NYSEG NYS Clean Heat data, installations of heat pumps in the region have increased significantly over the last three years (2021-2023), going from 1,112 to 1,951 a year, an increase of 75%. The pattern is reflected across the nation, with heat pumps outselling gas furnaces for a second year in a row.
Myth 2: Heat pumps are too expensive
There are two costs to consider: the upfront purchasing cost and the ongoing cost of running the heating system. The upfront cost of heat pumps is generally higher than traditional furnaces or, in some cases, boilers.
Ground source heat pumps are usually more expensive than air source heat pumps[DM2] . Before incentives, the former may cost $50,000 or more, whereas the latter may be between $15,000 and $30,000, for both the unit and installation, depending on the house size and configuration of the system. The better insulated your home is, the smaller the system you’ll need.
We always recommend people start with an energy assessment to gauge the need for additional air sealing and insulation, as this will help you maintain comfort with a smaller heat pump and also help your heat pump operate more efficiently. [DM3] But, going back to the cost, fortunately, the incentives available help significantly reduce that initial price tag.
Recent federal incentives combined with state programs are currently making up to $24,000 available toward the cost of heating and energy efficiency improvements for income-eligible households. In addition, there are two tax credits and a state rebate available that can offset the cost of installation. After applying available rebates and tax credits, the upfront costs of heat pumps and other systems can be similar or cost less than their fossil fuel counterparts.
There is another incentive available for residents in Lansing, Fall Creek, and Cayuga Heights to get financial assistance from switching off natural gas to a heat pump. There are also low-interest financing options from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). See the full list of incentives at smartenergychoices.org/heating.
As for ongoing costs, Shapiro pointed out that your electricity bill will increase, but this cost will be offset by your fuel bill decreasing. Any savings will depend on the type of heating you are replacing and electricity rates. Heat pumps in our region are much cheaper to operate than systems on delivered fuels such as propane and fuel oil or compared to electric resistance heat. For example, it costs about half the price over a year to heat a home with a heat pump than with propane or fuel oil, according to Efficiency Maine.
“Costs are further offset by the heat pump replacing a whole-home AC unit,” Shapiro said. “In some cases — many cases — we reduce the cost of heating and cooling. But there are other benefits not related to cost savings. Heat pumps will allow you to immediately slash your carbon emissions, and that is a good thing. Many heat pumps have better room temperature control.”
Shapiro added that, with a heat pump, you’ll be able to stop using combustible fuels in your home and reduce the risk of carbon monoxide exposure.Heat pumps also come with easy-to-use integrated controls and can operate with smart thermostats, further improving homeowner’s quality of life beyond the potential cost savings.
At Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County, we provide free energy advice and support from a team of energy advisors for those looking to enhance their home’s energy efficiency and install heat pumps. Check out our Smart Energy Choices site (smartenergychoices.org) for more information, and get in touch via our contact form to learn about how you can take advantage of available incentives when switching to a heat pump. You can also plan ahead by visiting Clean Heat’s Heat Pump Planner (cleanheat.ny.gov/planner/).
Harrison Hensley is a Community Energy Advisor serving Tompkins County as part of Smart Energy Choices, a program of Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County.
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