Pros and Cons to Heat Pumps in Wisconsin

Heat pump technology has existed as we know it, since 1856. Using the same technology that Air Conditioners use in reverse, we can take heat energy from the outside and transfer it into your home (versus in the summer, we pull the heat from your home and transfer it outside). In the past two decades the technologies behind heat pumps have improved quite a bit, with mini split manufacturers making heat pumps that operate below the shut off of 32F. Now we have models that can heat to -10F and can still pull heat energy from the -10F outside air. Now manufacturers are using this technology and producing whole home heat pumps using this established technology, such as the S-Series product from Amana.

We have put together some key points we feel are important in understanding where Heat Pumps make sense and where they do not. Heat Pumps are not a magical solution to lower bills and efficiency, and this is coming from a company that invested heavily in a solar farm on our roof, producing up to 30kWh at a time. We aim to be a green company, but we also know technologies as they progress have their limits.

Some downsides things you need to know first.

• Heat Pumps require ample sized ducts: A lot of homes in this area especially back in the day may not have adequate duct sizing for a heat pump. Gas furnaces require a lower CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) compared to a Heat Pump. You may notice this with your existing system if you have central air. When your central air is on, the fan is typically operating a higher speed than for heating. We can make some changes to systems, but there is not always a magical solution for every home to improve this.
• You NEED a Gas/Oil backup: With the electrification push we have seen quite a few people insisting that they can ditch a backup source and have just a heat pump, or to have a heat pump and just electric baseboard backup. That is an absolutely horrible idea! You need a backup source and we strongly recommend having a proper furnace, whether it is natural gas, liquid propane, or fuel oil. When extreme weather arrives or a breakdown occurs, you will NEED a backup source of heat
• Not as hot as Gas/Oil: We have seen this with customers who transitioned from Oil heat to Gas, where they have complained the temperature blowing around is colder. That is certainly true, and when customers are used to Natural Gas heat, and jump to a Heat Pump you will notice in most cases it is a little bit cooler. Some newer units are capable of producing more of a temperature rise out of your registers.
• There is a shut off temperature: At some point, the heat pump we install will not make fiscal sense to operate past a certain temperature. This is when we tell it to go to your backup source of heat. We look at the C.O.P. (Coefficient of Performance) to find where it makes sense to switch. A heat pump loses heating capacity as the temperature drops, which is the opposite of what your home needs. The colder it gets, the more BTUs of heat it needs.
• Tax Credits & Rewards: The federal tax credit program was not designed for our area. The units that qualify are few and far between between all manufacturers. Be INCREDIBLY WEARY of claims that a unit qualifies for the tax credit. The HSPF2 ratings on many units are so close to qualifying but miss by fractions of a point. As always, a tax credit does not mean a tax refund. Talk to a CPA to learn more about tax credits.
• Hard to Repair in Winter: These units use refrigerant, and trying to adjust this in the winter is tough. If you had a leak and the unit is not operating properly, you may have to go through the rest of the winter in backup heat mode.
• Higher Efficiency does NOT equal lower bills: Never, ever trust a salesman guaranteeing you will save X amount of your bill. Every home is different, and the way you set up your heat pump and the model you choose will affect this. Heat pumps can save you money, but the pay back is so volatile to really give you an answer on it.

There are positive points too, we swear!

• Can be adapted with an existing furnace: You do not have to upgrade both pieces of equipment, however, in the case of installing a Heat Pump it is strongly recommended to have a true variable speed blower motor on your furnace.
  • Some equipment requires a compatible furnace from the same manufacturer to unlock all the operating features and benefits, such as the S-Series from Amana.
• Less volatile fuel pricing: Those who are on liquid propane (LP) for a fuel source know the prices change all throughout the year. Electrical pricing is much more consistent. Natural gas customers aren't as affected by this.
• Efficient Electrical: Depending on what you have as a current heating source, you can really save a lot of money.
  • Electric Baseboard: Heat pumps can be up to 3X (or more) efficient for heating your home. A heat pump is a great option.
  • Fuel Oil / Propane: The cost comparison is hard to make as the delievered rates of Propane and Fuel Oil change a lot with the market. Heat pump is a good option for milder weather.
  • Natural Gas: Heat pumps can be a great way to heat in milder weather. As the temperature drops below 32F (or thereabouts) using the Natural Gas is recommended (assuming it's a high efficiency 95%+)
• Supporting the Future: Our country is becoming more and more electrified. We truly believe that Gas/Oil and Electric can work together for decades to come. By purchasing and installing a heat pump, you are sending a message to manufacturers that you (along with all the others) are interested in this product. This will spur further production and advancements hopefully even faster.
• Flexible Fuel Source: Electricity is just a relay. We have the opportunity to generate it through Nuclear, Solar, Water, Natural Gas, and more! By going electric, as we adopt more renewable energy sources, your device becomes more and more green. Most of our customers are on the RFCW power grid, learn how we get our power here.

What are the features of a Heat Pump?

When you are comparing the different Heat Pumps available, here are what you will find that varies between units:

Operating Efficiencies

Starting in 2023, Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps are now rated in SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings. Those ratings will tell you how efficient a unit is. HSPF2 is used in rating heat pumps only.

Stages

For standard Air Conditioners, we typically install single stage units. When talking Heat Pumps, we strongly recommend going with an inverter driven unit, as they are the most efficient and most capable for heating.

Brands

No matter who you talk to you're going to get different opinions. The truth is a majority of problems with any equipment is not the manufacturer... It's the install. Product is still a part of it, but you can spend great money on a product and if it's installed poorly you just wasted the money. Find a company you trust to take care of you and that will stand behind what they sell. Anyone will jump at the fact to sell you box, but there are quite a few companies not so excited to take care of it after the fact.

Looking at options?

Our estimators are here to give you options and written estimates. They are no pressure, and you can even book your appointment online or call us. We can take a look at how your duct work is structured, and determine what (if any) heat pump would make sense for your home. We are not going to sell you something we don't believe has a value to you.