Will a Heat Pump Help Reduce My Carbon Footprint?
These days, sustainability is a huge consideration when making major purchases. From the type of vehicle we buy to the environmental impact of our household appliances, the world around us is top of mind.
When it comes time to replace your home’s HVAC system or upgrade, environmental considerations will definitely affect the type of system you go with. Your choice of home heating & cooling system will have an impact on the environment as well as your pocketbook. After all, you probably would not choose to install an oil furnace in your new home because oil furnaces are not very environmentally friendly, run the risk of spilling oil into your home, and the cost of oil is cost-prohibitive.
Heat pumps are an excellent way to heat and cool your home efficiently. Utilizing clean energy, heat pumps use less energy and get the most from the energy they do use. They’re also the perfect solution for homes without ductwork. There are heat pump systems that work with your existing ducting, an air handler or even electric backup heat
Until recently, heat pumps were considered unsuitable for Canadian climates because they could not keep up with lower temperatures. Modern innovations in heating and cooling technologies have created a new category of heat pumps known as Cold Climate Heat Pumps. These units are capable of keeping your home warm & safe, even when temperatures drop as low as -30ºC. They also serve double duty, providing air conditioning in the summer months, meaning you’ll only need to buy, maintain and repair one system instead of two.
Using technology similar to a traditional air conditioning unit, a heat pump takes cold air from outside the home, absorbs the cold, and disperses the now-warm air into the house. A heat pump is equipped with a reversing valve, switching the flow of the refrigerant. During the warm months, it will take warm air, absorb the heat, and disperse the now chilled air throughout your home.
An Air Source Heat Pump, as they are officially known, runs on electricity, which does not emit harmful emissions. This makes it an eco-conscious choice for heating and cooling your home. Like many environmentally-friendly purchases, a cold-climate heat pump has a slightly higher up-front investment. However, these energy-efficient systems will save you money every month in lower energy costs and the satisfaction of reducing your environmental footprint.
Making it easier to live a more sustainable lifestyle, the Canadian government is offering a way to make this equipment more affordable. Right now, the Canada Greener Homes Initiative is incentivizing people to make their homes a little more sustainable. The program is offering rebates of up to $5,000 for energy-efficient upgrades, including cold climate heat pumps, or the option of up to $40,000 in interest-free financing. We’ve got more information about the program here.
Reliable Home Environment has heat pump systems that are eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Grant and can help you take advantage of the program. We can even walk you through the application process; it’s easier than you think! Reach out to us anytime to learn how you can make your home’s heating and cooling system a little more environmentally friendly.