Concerned about climate change? Heat Pumps can help | Opinion

Dan Singer
·2 min read
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April is Earth Month, which puts the focus on personal actions individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprint. In addition to being more efficient and saving money, heat pumps can be an attractive option for the environmentally conscious.

Did you know that heat pumps installed in your home can also cool as well as heat? As we head into the summer months, homeowners may want to consider the benefits of heat pumps vs. standard air conditioning as they prepare their homes for the hot weather.

Heat pumps are a more efficient, more convenient way to keep your home comfortable all year long. In addition to being a sustainable solution, they are an all-purpose solution for those who may be considering new heating or air conditioning systems.

Heat pumps work hard to warm and cool your home throughout the year. A smart way to reduce the amount of electricity they use is with solar panels or a small wind system.
Heat pumps work hard to warm and cool your home throughout the year. A smart way to reduce the amount of electricity they use is with solar panels or a small wind system.

Heat pumps move heat around — pumping a liquid that expands into a gas and compresses back into a liquid — rather than burning a fuel like oil or natural gas to generate it. Air-source heat pumps collect and transfer heat from the air while geothermal heat pumps collect and transfer heat from the ground. Both types of heat pumps can also work as cooling systems in the summer, transferring heat from inside to outside.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency using heat pumps as an alternative to fossil fuels is one of the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions and can be cost effective. Systems can lower energy costs up to 50% and last approximately 25 years.

Although rebates offered to offset the cost of installation are less than what they have been in the past, there are still some deals to be had.  According to the New York Clean Energy Association, both state and federal rebates are available. Information about New York State rebates are available through New York State Clean Heat.

The Inflation Reduction Act also offers instant federal rebates up to $14,000 for all home electrification projects including up to $8,000 for heat pumps. Tax credits are available for heat pumps up to $2,000 per household per year, up to 30 percent of the project’s cost. Other tax breaks for home electrification are available, up to $1,200 per year. To find our if you are eligible for rebates and how much, Rewiring America offers a calculator according to zip code.

Another incentive for acting now to investigate heat pumps, is that you will be all ready for winter once the cold temperatures hit.

Dan Singer is president and CEO of Robison, a full-service home comfort company in Westchester County, New York.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Heat pumps can mitigate climate change