Heat Pumps |
Handout - Why Choose a Heat Pump?
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Helpful Resources
Why Choose a Heat Pump?
A heat pump doesn't burn fuel to make heat — it moves heat. In winter, it pulls warmth from the outdoor air (yes, even cold air contains heat) and brings it inside. In summer, it runs in reverse and works as a high-efficiency air conditioner. Because moving heat takes far less energy than creating it, heat pumps deliver two to three or more units of heat for every unit of electricity they use.
Six reasons homeowners choose heat pumps
What about cost?
A heat pump system usually costs more to install than a gas furnace paired with a central air conditioner. The good news: rebates can shrink that upfront price. Wisconsin homeowners currently have some of the strongest heat pump incentives in the country:
Considering cost only, a heat pump makes the most sense if…
Operating costs depend on your utility rates, your home, and how the system is sized and configured.
Find a free estimator/calculator at: www.natethehousewhisperer.com/operatingcost
More on operating costs from
Focus on Energy Electric Heat Pump Customer Buying and Operation Guide
How Much Will I Save on my Heating Bill?
-A home’s savings depends on the type of heat pump selected, current source of heating fuel, age of home, and amount of insulation, among other factors.
-Homeowners who switch from electric baseboard heating to a heat pump can see drastic reductions of 50% or more in their electric bills during the winter.
-In summer, you will likely see additional savings compared to conventional air conditioners.
-If you don’t heat with electric resistance, your electric bill will go up, but other heating fuel costs will go down.
-Oil or propane users can see up to 50% net savings on their average yearly heating costs.
-Homeowners are likely to experience higher energy bills if converting from natural gas to an all-electric system.
-Including weatherization upgrades will increase savings on your heating bill too.
A heat pump doesn't burn fuel to make heat — it moves heat. In winter, it pulls warmth from the outdoor air (yes, even cold air contains heat) and brings it inside. In summer, it runs in reverse and works as a high-efficiency air conditioner. Because moving heat takes far less energy than creating it, heat pumps deliver two to three or more units of heat for every unit of electricity they use.
Six reasons homeowners choose heat pumps
- Better comfort, year-round. Heat pumps deliver steady, even warmth instead of blasts of hot air, and variable-speed models run quietly in the background. In summer, those long, gentle cycles also dehumidify more effectively than a single-stage AC that starts and stops.
- Safety and healthier indoor air. No flame, no combustion gases, and no carbon monoxide produced by your heating system. Removing combustion from the home also means no risk of gas leaks from that equipment and can improve indoor air quality.
- Modern models handle real winters. Today's cold-climate heat pumps are built for northern winters and keep heating effectively well below zero. Systems here include a backup heat source for the coldest snaps — electric heat strips, or a matched gas furnace in a dual-fuel setup.
- Remarkable efficiency. Heat pumps are typically 200–400% efficient because they move heat instead of making it — standard electric heat is 100% efficient, and even the best gas furnace tops out just below that. One caveat: efficiency measures energy, not dollars. Electricity can cost more per unit than natural gas, so high efficiency doesn't automatically mean lower bills. If you currently heat with propane, fuel oil, or electric baseboards, though, a heat pump usually does cost less to run — often much less.
- Lower emissions that keep improving. A heat pump running on electricity produces less climate pollution than burning gas in your basement — and it gets cleaner every year as more renewable power comes onto the grid. A furnace burns fossil fuel on day one and every day after for 15–20 years.
- Incentives and future-proofing. Rebates can substantially lower the upfront cost (see below), and locking in an efficient electric system protects you from fossil fuel price swings down the road.
What about cost?
A heat pump system usually costs more to install than a gas furnace paired with a central air conditioner. The good news: rebates can shrink that upfront price. Wisconsin homeowners currently have some of the strongest heat pump incentives in the country:
- Focus on Energy: Instant discounts and rebates on qualifying heat pumps, available to customers of participating utilities at any income level.
- HEAR rebates: Up to $8,000 toward a heat pump for income-qualifying households (below 150% of Area Median Income).
- HOMES rebates: Additional rebates for whole-home efficiency projects that cut energy use, available across income levels.
Considering cost only, a heat pump makes the most sense if…
- You currently heat with propane, fuel oil, or electric baseboard heat
- Your air conditioner or furnace are nearing the end of their life
- You want air conditioning and don't have it yet
- You qualify for income-based rebates that cover a large share of the cost
- You have or plan to add solar power to your home
Operating costs depend on your utility rates, your home, and how the system is sized and configured.
Find a free estimator/calculator at: www.natethehousewhisperer.com/operatingcost
More on operating costs from
Focus on Energy Electric Heat Pump Customer Buying and Operation Guide
How Much Will I Save on my Heating Bill?
-A home’s savings depends on the type of heat pump selected, current source of heating fuel, age of home, and amount of insulation, among other factors.
-Homeowners who switch from electric baseboard heating to a heat pump can see drastic reductions of 50% or more in their electric bills during the winter.
-In summer, you will likely see additional savings compared to conventional air conditioners.
-If you don’t heat with electric resistance, your electric bill will go up, but other heating fuel costs will go down.
-Oil or propane users can see up to 50% net savings on their average yearly heating costs.
-Homeowners are likely to experience higher energy bills if converting from natural gas to an all-electric system.
-Including weatherization upgrades will increase savings on your heating bill too.
How much of the year can a heat pump easily handle in your city?
Below is a screenshot of a result obtained for Madison, Wisconsin, using the tool found at
natethehousewhisperer.com/how-much-of-the-year-will-a-heat-pump-work-in-my-city
At temperatures where heating a home gets more difficult for a heat pump you need either: a better heat pump, and/or a better building shell, and/or a backup heat source such as electric resistance or a furnace.
Below is a screenshot of a result obtained for Madison, Wisconsin, using the tool found at
natethehousewhisperer.com/how-much-of-the-year-will-a-heat-pump-work-in-my-city
At temperatures where heating a home gets more difficult for a heat pump you need either: a better heat pump, and/or a better building shell, and/or a backup heat source such as electric resistance or a furnace.
