New Construction & Heat Pumps
Building a house? Don’t install old technology in your new dream home.
When designing your new home, it’s a best practice to not only consider your family’s needs today but also what you’ll want in the future — which is why anyone building their home should consider installing a heat pump, the cleanest, most efficient technology available that will keep your family comfortable for years to come.
- Heating and Cooling: Unlike conventional heating systems (oil, propane, gas, or electric baseboards), cold-climate air source or geothermal (ground source) heat pumps provide year-round comfort by doubling as your air conditioning in the summer and don’t require fossil fuels.
- Water Heating: A heat pump water heater is up to three times more efficient than conventional electric water heaters, saving you thousands over the heater’s lifetime.
Thousands of dollars in rebates and incentives are available to New Yorkers through the NYS Clean Heat program so there has never been a better time for new homebuyers to install one of the most efficient, reliable, and long-lasting systems.
Benefits of Heat Pumps for New Homes
- Lower Energy Costs: Heat pumps are more efficient than conventional options and can offer significant energy cost savings - especially if your new home site doesn’t have access to natural gas. On top of lowering your energy costs, installing a heat pump can increase your home’s value.
- Ease of Installation: Installing a heat pump in a new construction home couldn’t be easier. New construction allows the design of the heat pump system to be customized to your needs. For a geothermal heat pump, this means installation that won't impact future landscaping plans.
- Convenience & Longevity: Heat pumps last longer than conventional heating and cooling systems and require minimal maintenance. By installing a cold-climate air source or geothermal (ground source) heat pump, you’ll eliminate the need for a separate air conditioning system and dependence on delivered fuels.
- Cleaner & Healthier: Unlike oil, propane, and gas, heat pumps don’t require combustion of fossil fuels or fuel storage, eliminating the potential release of carbon monoxide while improving your new home’s air quality.
- Greater Comfort: Regardless of the season, air or ground source heat pumps are whisper-quiet and provide consistent warm or cool temperatures in different zones throughout your home. In addition to heating water, a heat pump water heater also air conditions and dehumidifies the space around them.
How Do Heat Pumps Work?
Cold-climate air source heat pumps gather heat from the air, while geothermal (ground source) heat pumps extract it from the ground, which is then distributed throughout your home During warmer months, these processes are reversed to provide cooling. Similarly, heat pump water heaters use electricity to pull heat from the surrounding air and transfer it to water enclosed in a tank.
While both cold-climate air source heat pumps and geothermal (ground source) heat pumps are great options, a geothermal heat pump is the most cost-efficient option for new construction—providing central, whole-home heating and cooling and long-term, year-over-year savings. To learn more about what type of system is best for your new home download our buying guide (PDF) or compare the options best suited for your home type.
Ready to Get Started?
Is a heat pump system the best option for your new home? To ensure you can access available rebates you’ll need to work with a NYS Clean Heat participating contractor. You can either enter your address to find participating contractors in your area or you can search to see if a specific contractor you have worked with in the past participates.