Heat Pumps Services In Clifton Park, Saratoga, Troy, Albany, Schenectady, NY, And Surrounding Areas
Heating And Cooling In Saratoga, NY
Heat pumps can not only help you save money on your energy bills but also reduce your carbon footprint. In fact, they can take care of both your heating and cooling needs.
What Is A Heat Pump?
In essence, heat pumps act as two-way air conditioners. During the summer, they remove heat from the air and push cold air into your home to replace it, just like any other AC unit. During the winter months, they take in heat energy from outside your home to the inside for warmth. On average, heat pumps use only half the energy of electric HVAC units.
Who Can Benefit From Them?
People whose homes use boilers and home heating oil stand to benefit most from heat pumps. Of course, you’ll have to purchase the heat pump, but the savings in energy costs make up for it over time. Plus, local power companies typically offer energy credits for them.
Heat pumps usually last between 20 and 30 years, so they’re well worth the investment.
Efficiency
The Department of Energy found that air-source heat pumps can shave half off your utility bills when compared with baseboard heaters and furnaces. That’s because heat pumps don’t generate energy. Instead, they move heat that’s already been generated around. It’s estimated that you could save as much as $20,000 on energy bills throughout the lifespan of the heat pump.
Myth Busting
First, let’s address the expense. The cost of installing a quality heat pump is roughly equal to the cost of buying both a traditional air conditioning and heating system at the same time. In some cases, it’s even more expensive, and that can deter homeowners from considering it at all. But cost doesn’t necessarily need to be an obstacle. And when you look at the lifetime value of a heat pump, the financial picture changes. Heat pumps are the Tesla of HVAC options. They provide fantastic energy and cost efficiency and, if they’re well-maintained, they can last for 15 years or more.
Heat pumps aren’t designed to replicate the feel of heat that comes from a furnace or boiler. Instead, a heat pump’s continuous airflow system ensures every place in your home consistently feels warm—not hot, but warm. Most people love how their home feels after they install a heat pump, but if you’re someone who wants their home to feel “toasty,” you might want to supplement it with an additional heating solution for the coldest days of the year, which can often be built right into or directly connected to the system.
Also, know that heat pumps have a visible outdoor unit—just like a traditional AC system. So you’ll need to make space for that unit and plan your landscaping accordingly (it’s generally pretty simple to hide it with shrubs). There’s nothing wrong with how they look, but they’re also not walking down the runway at fashion week. If you select a ductless mini-split system, for example, you’ll need wall units installed at strategic points throughout your home. These units are designed to be as unobtrusive as possible, but they’re not invisible. If you’re someone who places a premium on interior design, you’ll need to think about how to incorporate a mini-split into your aesthetic.
Low Maintenance
Heat pumps don’t need much maintenance—that’s one of the great benefits of heat pump technology. But there are still a few things you can do to keep your system running well:
- Change The filters: You’ll need to change the filter(s) on a regular basis—once a month—if you use your heat pump continuously, and less often if you use it sporadically.
- Clear Away Debris: Branches, leaves, and other debris that gather around your outdoor unit can significantly impact your heat pump’s ability to do its job. Heat pumps need about 2’ to 3’ of clearance all around, so keep an eye on the area and be sure to remove anything that lands around (or on top of!) your unit.
- Clean Outdoor Coils Regularly: If your condenser coils are dirty, your heat pump won’t be able to operate efficiently. So, once or twice a year, make a point to shut off the power and clean off the coils with a special solution.
- Keep Snow Out Of The Way: Given the snowfall we see here in the Capital District, you’ll need to keep your outdoor unit clear of snow and ice. (A properly installed unit is raised from the ground to allow for melt and drainage, but it’s still a good idea to keep the area clear.)
- Get Your System Inspected Annually: Heat pumps are durable, but you should have yours inspected once a year by a qualified HVAC technician. They’ll be able to identify potential problems before they become severe, and they can also give you tips on how to identify issues yourself.
What Do Heat Pumps Cost?
The cost of your heat pump will vary based on the size of your house, the layout of your space, where you live, and whether or not you’ll use your existing ductwork or install a ductless mini-split system. You’ll also need to consider the cost of professional installation as well as any financing costs if you choose to go that route.
Purchasing a climate control system for your home is a significant expense in any situation, and a heat pump system is no different. The best way to know how much a heat pump costs is to get a quote for your particular home. To see your payment options, click here. Payments can be as little as $10 per month.
