Central Air Source Heat Pump for a Two-Story Home
With Optional Mini-Splits
Click on the ‘hot spots’ in the interactive image below to learn more about your home’s recommended heat pump plan with videos, photos, and more. Then, scroll down to view benefits, key considerations, cost information, and questions for your contractor.
Air Seal and Insulate
2-in-1 Heating & Cooling
Zoned Temperature Control
Health & Safety
Affordable, Clean Heating
Eliminate Your Tank
Affordable, Clean Heating
Unlike many fossil fuel heating systems or even electric baseboard heat, cold-climate air source heat pumps are a super-efficient technology that can save you money on your monthly heating bills.
Instead of wasting energy (and money) up the chimney by burning fuel like a conventional furnace or boiler does, cold-climate air source heat pumps work by transferring energy from the outside air, transforming it into warm air, and delivering it to your indoor space. During the hot summer months, this process is reversed to remove heat from your home and cool your interior space.
Cold-climate air source heat pumps work extremely well across New York State — even in the coldest areas of upstate. In fact, there are already thousands of homes throughout the State that rely solely on cold-climate air source heat pumps to save money, reduce the use of fossil fuels, and get through our harsh winters in comfort.
Zoned Temperature Control
With a central air source heat pump, you can individually control the temperatures of different zones throughout your home using air handlers in your ductwork. That means you can solve common comfort and efficiency problems in two-story homes, such as cold or stuffy second floors — and if your infant needs a nice warm nursery, but you prefer the downstairs family room to be cooler, you won’t have to sacrifice your comfort for theirs.
For even greater zoned temperature control, ask your contractor about the option to add ductless heads to your central system. This unique feature of heat pump systems gives you the flexibility to heat and cool areas of your home that may not be well-served by your existing ductwork without having to add any new ductwork.
Reduced Health and Safety Risks
Heat pumps can help you improve the health and safety of your home and family.
Since heat pumps don’t directly burn fossil fuels to keep you warm, they minimize the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be difficult to predict and detect. Heat pumps can also improve the overall indoor air quality of your home by better managing humidity in the air and filtering out dust and other allergens when filtration is added.
When you switch to a heat pump system for your home, you and your family can breathe easy — literally.
Pro Tip: Eliminate Drafts with Insulation and Air Sealing
Just like with any HVAC system, you’ll get the most out of this state-of-the-art technology by first addressing any areas in your home that may need to be sealed and insulated. To make your home as comfortable and efficient as can be, we recommend working with your qualified contractor to have a home energy assessment performed to identify any sealing and insulating work that may be needed prior to your heat pump installation date.
When you seal and insulate your home prior to installing a new heat pump, not only will you be more comfortable in your home, but you will also likely achieve even greater monthly savings on your energy bills, making a good deal even better.
Eliminate Your Propane or Oil Tank
Say goodbye to unsightly fuel tanks and dangerous leaks, as well as costly and unpredictable fuel deliveries — for good.
Instead, with a cold-climate air source heat pump, your home will be heated and cooled by compact, modern technology that operates safely, quietly, and efficiently.
Stop paying hundreds of dollars to refill your tank, and never worry about running out of fuel again! Heat pumps typically more than pay for themselves over time with the savings generated by switching off oil and propane.
2-in-1 Heating & Cooling
With a cold-climate air source heat pump, you can enjoy heating and cooling from a single, modern system instead of buying and servicing separate heating and cooling equipment. That means less maintenance and less equipment taking up space in your basement and yard. In fact, central air source heat pump systems can heat and cool an entire home with a single outdoor compressor unit.
Not only that, but heat pumps also provide better quality heating and cooling than conventional furnaces or air conditioners (ACs). Whereas most furnaces blast your home with loud spurts of hot air that slowly dissipate until it’s time for another one, heat pumps put out a gentle, steady stream of warm air. And with ductless heat pumps, you and your family will enjoy the benefits of central AC without the ductwork — and you’ll never have to deal with window AC units again!
Cold-climate air source heat pumps use electricity to provide 2-in-1 heating and cooling that is safe, sustainable, and versatile.
Comfort
Cold-climate heat pumps distribute gentle, steady streams of warm (or cool) air to keep you comfortable — even on the hottest summer days and the coldest winter nights.
Lower Energy Bills
The monthly cost of heating and cooling your home with a heat pump is typically less than oil, propane, or electric resistance heating (such as baseboards).
Temperature Control
Zoned heating and cooling allows you to set different areas of your home to different temperatures. With the option to add ductless “heads” to your central air source system, you can achieve even greater zoned temperature control.
High Efficiency
Sustainable heating and cooling that is up to 3x more efficient than traditional fuel systems.
Convenient
Heat pumps require less maintenance, fewer service calls, and no fuel deliveries.
Installation Rebates
You may qualify for incentives from your electric utility company to lower your costs.
Safety and Peace of Mind
No more flames or fumes. Heat pumps can improve your home’s indoor air quality and reduce your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning by not burning fossil fuels.
Cleaner and Greener
Not only are heat pumps good for your wallet, they are good for the planet too. Heat pumps use electricity to heat and cool your home, reducing your carbon footprint when compared to a system that requires you to directly burn fossil fuels and emit carbon.
- Central air source heat pump systems give you the option to incorporate ductless heads into your design to create custom comfort zones or to heat and cool areas of your home that are not well served by your existing ductwork.
- A central air source heat pump system can replace your current central AC in its entirety.
- Your electric service may need to be upgraded to support your new heat pump.
- To get the most comfort and efficiency from your system, use the time between ordering your system and installation to improve your home’s insulation and air sealing.
- Central air source heat pump systems provide great design flexibility by taking advantage of existing ductwork, but some ducts may need to be air sealed, insulated, and/or re-sized to maximize their efficiency.
- Did you know that you may be able to use a heat pump for your home’s hot water needs as well? This can help you save even more energy.
Installation Cost:
Cost may vary by region, installation complexity, installer experience, system size, efficiency, and manufacturer.
- Rebates are available when you work with a participating New York State Clean Heat contractor — check to see what you may qualify for.
- NYS Clean Heat rebates can be combined with federal tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Now you can save even more when you make the switch to heat pumps and other clean, efficient solutions.
- New York State has low-interest financing options available to help make the purchase and installation of a heat pump more affordable.
- Central air source heat pump systems take advantage of your existing ductwork, which could mean less work for you and your contractor.
- Since each zone creates an additional cost, using fewer zones can make for a lower cost installation when practical. If you choose to incorporate ductless heads into your central air source heat pump design, each additional ductless unit may add to the project cost as well.
Operating Cost:
- Your overall heating costs will likely decrease if switching from oil, propane, or electric resistance heating (such as baseboards).
- If you previously heated with fuel, don’t be surprised to see electric bills increase. However, your fuel bills will drop or disappear, which may offset the increase to your electric bills.
- Air source heat pumps are more efficient than other air conditioning systems, saving you more money during the summer.
- As is the case with any heating system, efficient homes that have been professionally air sealed and insulated have much lower operating costs.
- Air source heat pumps last about 15 years and require minimal maintenance.
- What size units do I need? Ask for room-by-room heating and cooling calculations.
- Can the heat pump you are recommending sufficiently heat my home, or is an additional system needed?
- Is the heat pump you are recommending on the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership (NEEP) cold-climate product list? Note: It is reasonable to ask your installer for a copy of the spec sheet from the NEEP website.
- What mix of ducted air handlers and ductless “heads” will work best in my home?
- What are my best placement options for the outdoor unit(s)?
- How long will installation take? Where and when will you need access?
- Will I need to update my electric service?
- How do I operate my system for optimal comfort and efficiency?
- What maintenance is required? How often should I clean or change air filters? Is annual service needed?
- What is the expected lifespan and warranty?
- How can I make any additional upgrades to my home, such as adding insulation or air sealing, to prepare for a heat pump? Do you have an insulation contractor I can work with?
- Is my home a good fit for a heat pump water heater as well? Do you have a contractor I can work with for this additional project?
Find an expert to help with your residential heat pump project. Incentives may be available from your electric utility company when you work through a NYS Clean Heat participating contractor.