Going Electric at Home: Home Heating

Modern-day heat pumps are a super-efficient, reliable and proven technology. Unlike a furnace, they don't require heat. Instead, they move heat from one location to another — into your home in the winter, and out of your home during the summer.

There are several types of heat pumps. Air source heat pumps directly replace a typical gas furnace and air conditioner. This type of system has an outdoor unit, similar to a whole-home air conditioner. However, it essentially works in reverse during cold months. Since most homes already have a ducted system, this will be the easiest replacement for a fossil-fuel furnace.

Ductless mini-split heat pumps don't require ducts. They recirculate air through a smaller coil which mounts on a wall or ceiling. Ductless mini splits heat and cool individual rooms, providing more control over comfort levels.

Geothermal heat pumps circulate coolant through buried pipes. In the heating cycle, the coolant absorbs heat from the earth and transfers it into the home. During cooling, it dumps heat from the home into the ground.

Geothermal costs more upfront, but it's more efficient and lasts nearly twice as long. So it actually costs less over time. It also doesn't have the noisy outdoor unit, so it's quieter. And, there's a water heating option, too.

Switching to a heat pump for your heating and cooling can make living in your home, and on our planet, better every day.