Save energy, save money, stay cool
Heating and cooling account for over 70% of the annual energy use of a typical Minnesota home. By upgrading to a higher efficiency heating and cooling system like an air source heat pump, you can save on energy bills and significantly cut your home’s carbon emissions.
Heat Pump FAQs
If your air conditioner (AC) is 15 years old or older, it’s likely nearing the end of its useful life. As units age, repairs tend to become more frequent and expensive. They also tend to become less efficient as they age, so they cost more money to run. Why wait for an expensive repair or emergency replacement when you could be investing in new equipment now to save in the long term?
An air source heat pump (ASHP) can fully replace your central AC and provide heating to your home. Traditional ACs work by moving heat from inside to outside to keep your house cool. An ASHP works similarly, moving heat out of your home to keep it cool in the summer and moving heat into your home to keep it warm in the winter.
Since ASHPs don't generate heat, they're far more efficient than traditional heating and cooling systems. They also use electricity, making them a great choice for lowering your energy use and carbon emissions.
Partially, but not entirely. In Minnesota, homes with an ASHP are required to have a supplementary heating source to maintain comfort on the coldest winter days. The auxiliary heating source can be a gas system (like a gas furnace) or an electric system, depending on your preferences.
A heat pump is a very efficient air conditioner, and can fully replace your current system. It can provide most of your heating in the fall, winter, and spring. Depending on your current heating system, this could lower your bills and help your furnace last longer. Heat pumps are also known for providing more consistent heating and cooling, which can help if you have comfort issues at home.
For most people, the combination of energy efficiency, bill savings, and comfort make an ASHP a worthwhile upgrade.
Typically, modern furnaces are compatible with ASHPs. Compatibility will depend on several factors, including the brand and model of both units. An HVAC professional familiar with ASHPs can assess your current system and provide you with options. If your furnace is the same age as your AC, we'd recommend replacing them together.
The upfront cost of an ASHP is typically higher than a traditional AC, though the exact price can vary based on your home needs, contractor, and equipment. Financial incentives are available for heat pumps, which can bring down the installation cost. In some cases, incentives make a heat pump cheaper than an AC.
Long term, an ASHP could help you save on energy bills, depending on your current HVAC setup, heating source, and your utility rates. For example, Xcel Energy offers a special rate for customers using who primarily heat their homes with electricity. The discounted rate applies to all electricity usage during the the heating season, which could add up to substantial savings.
Visit the Minnesota Air Source Heat Pump Collaborative website for step-buy-step guidance on choosing and installing a heat pump that’s right for your home.
Get in touch with an Electrify Everything MN Advisor for free, no-pressure advice on obtaining and evaluating quotes, stacking incentives, and comparing technologies.
Read real stories about the experiences of Minnesotans who have installed heat pumps in their own homes.
