Heat Pump Pros & Cons: A Guide For Homeowners

Heat pumps are becoming a more favored heating & cooling technology for homeowners aiming to cut down on energy expenses while enhancing the comfort of their residences. Since their popularity increase is relatively recent, most homeowners don’t know much about how they work, or why they should get one.

This article will explain what a heat pump is, and give you a comprehensive guide on heat pump pros and cons that you should consider when deciding if you should add one to your home. If you’re interested in lowering your utility bills and helping the environment, keep on reading!

What is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is an electric climate control system that extracts heat from a surrounding heat source such as air, water or the ground, and then amplifies and transfers it to a different area.

Even in cold weather, outdoor air, soil or water contains a certain amount of thermal energy that can be converted to heat, and a heat pump can extract that heat, amplify it with compressed refrigerant, and transfer it inside. Unlike a furnace, a heat pump does not create heat, making it much more energy efficient.

One of the coolest parts of a heat pump is that it can heat OR cool your home by reversing the flow of refrigerant. When summer comes, heat pumps can cool your home by extract heat from inside your home and transferring it outside!

Key term: Refrigerant

Refrigerants are not only used for cooling, as the name would suggest. Refrigerant is a working fluid that has chemical properties that allow it to efficiently absorb and hold heat. In a conventional air conditioner, refrigerant absorbs heat from outside air, cooling the air so it can be transferred inside and cool the home. A heat pump uses refrigerant to absorb heat, compresses the refrigerant to increase the temperature, then transfers the refrigerant elsewhere to disperse the heat – indoors in winter, outdoors in summer.

Types of Heat Pumps

There are three main types of heat pumps available: air source, ground source, and water source. Water source is very uncommon and will not be covered for purposes of brevity. Aquarius Home Services only installs and services air source heat pumps.

Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP)

heat pump replacing furnace at home

For heating and cooling homes, air source heat pumps utilize the outside air as a sustainable energy source. Air source heat pumps can be used in all regions. However, they might be less effective in colder areas because they depend on outdoor temperatures.

Many homeowners find that ASHPs are more affordable because they require less maintenance than other heat pumps. ASHPs are relatively easy to install than other solutions because they don’t need any new infrastructure, such as water wells or underground piping.

Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP)

Ground source heat pump utilizes the earth’s natural thermal properties by using underground pipes that absorb warmth from the soil or groundwater to provide heating and cooling requirements inside your home.

Because of their complicated installation process, GSHPs are more expensive than other systems. But GSHPs offer higher efficiency ratings even in cold weather, making them the best choice for people who live in cooler areas and wish to save as much energy as possible all year.

Ground source heat pumps are labor intensive to install because they require digging and underground installations. For this reason, they are best used when installed on newly constructed homes.

Pros of Heat Pumps

When heating your home on cold days, you want an energy-efficient, cost-effective, and reliable system. One option that has gained popularity in recent years is the heat pump. Here are some benefits of installing a heat pump in your home.

Cost Saving

Heat pumps can save homeowners money on utility bills because they use less energy than traditional heating and cooling systems. They provide cost savings by transferring heat from one area to another, which can significantly reduce your electricity usage.

Eco-Friendly

Heat pumps are seen as more environmentally friendly than conventional furnaces because they rely on renewable energy sources like air or ground temperatures to produce warm and cold air rather than burning fossil fuels like oil or natural gas for their power source. As a result, these units emit significantly less carbon dioxide than traditional HVAC systems.

Energy Efficient

Using the heat already present in a room rather than adding more heat will significantly cut down on energy use and optimize cost savings. In addition, many models have smart capabilities that let them change the temperature settings based on the weather outside or the number of people occupying the house.

Heat pumps offer a great way to save money and reduce your environmental footprint. Though the initial outlay may be pricey, numerous benefits make them worth considering for anyone searching for an energy-efficient heating solution.

Quiet Operation

If you have an older AC unit, it is probably quite loud when operating. A properly installed, modern heat pump is no louder than an electric fan making them much less obtrusive when close to your patio or near an open window.

Cons of Heat Pumps

While heat pumps can be an efficient and cost-effective way to heat and cool your home, there are several cons to consider as a homeowner.

High Initial Cost

Heat pumps are an excellent method to reduce energy bills but they are expensive. Depending on the size and type, it might cost anywhere from $3,000 to over $10,000 to install heat pumps. This drawback is somewhat eased by tax incentives and utility rebates. Installing an energy-efficient system like a heat pump may qualify for tax incentives from federal and local governments, as well as rebates from electrical utility companies.

Limited Efficiency in Cold Weather

Regardless of the outside temperature, heat pumps are generally effective in moving heat from one location to another. But their effectiveness dramatically drops when the outside temperature drops below freezing. In these conditions, compared to conventional heating systems like gas furnaces or boilers, it is less successful at providing constant warmth inside your home.

A backup heating system may be necessary for a heat pump to offer adequate warmth in frigid climates. It is common for heat pump buyers to keep their gas furnace and use it sparingly when the weather gets too cold for the heat pump to adequately warm the home. The heat pump allows the homeowner to drastically reduce the amount of gas used by the furnace as it is only needed for especially cold weather.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Heat Pump System

When considering the factors in choosing a heat pump system, it is essential to consider climate and location, size and capacity requirements, and budget and financing options.

Climate and Location

Heat pumps are the most effective in moderate areas with relatively constant temperatures all year. A more robust system might be required for regions with high temperatures to ensure adequate heating and cooling all year.

Size and Capacity

It’s essential to accurately estimate the size and capacity needs of your heat pump based on variables like the size of your home, the number of rooms that need to be heated or cooled, the degree of insulation, the local temperature, etc. Before making a choice, be sure to seek the advice of a qualified HVAC professional.

Budget and Financing Options

The cost of a heat pump system might vary greatly depending on the manufacturer and the amenities it has to offer. Make sure you understand all the terms of these offers before signing anything. Many manufacturers provide appealing financing solutions with low-interest rates.

Consider a Heat Pump Today!

Heat pumps may be a wise choice for those wishing to save money on energy costs and lessen their environmental impact. Heat pumps have a lot of advantages over other heating methods, making them an appealing choice despite certain disadvantages, including a high initial cost and maintenance requirements.

If you’re considering a heat pump for your home, Aquarius Home Services can help you choose the right one. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our experts and learn more about the best heat pumps for your home.

Ken Cackoski
Ken Cackoski
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Great service checking out the water softener/filter system. Cole answered all my questions and made some good suggestions to save us some money.
Dylan Vangorden
Dylan Vangorden
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Outstanding experience from sales to install!!
Mary S
Mary S
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Justin was an excellent tech. He was on time, friendly, efficient, and paid attention to detail; our shut off valve was going bad, he noticed, and replaced the part before it became a problem. We would love to have him come every time!
matthew larson
matthew larson
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From the first interaction to the last, these people were very professional, trusting and knowledgeable. Our concerns were addressed and we had many options to choose from when it came to solutions. Communication was clear and easy. They did a wonderful job.
Ivy Faulkner
Ivy Faulkner
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Great service today when my heat was out. Nick went above and beyond!
Scott Folstad
Scott Folstad
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Justin did a great job reviewing our water system, researching any issues and thoroughly explained both the problem and solution. He is definitely a true professional who was cordial and knowledgeable and would be thrilled if he was the service person who always worked on our water system.
Troy Miller
Troy Miller
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My wife did this review and I’m going to as well. I must say that I gave my wife, the greenlight, however, I felt like I was in the dark and did a courtesy call to follow up. I’ll leave it simple as a general contractor I believe it’s important to really make sure you go above and beyond to making sure you’re completely satisfied. This was done by multiple employees. I will say the sales rep Brian is stellar to work with. He knows his stuff and he’s been doing it a long time. I highly recommend reaching out or requesting Brian. The technician Tom was phenomenal. Along with Mike Brown both had done a very thorough and complementary be back to go over the system so I understand it completely. The service manager Kyle also paid tribute, making sure that all my needs and questions were answered. I’ve learned a lot. This water is phenomenal, the system I can’t tell you from living in Maple Grove is much needed. Thank you again, I appreciate all the knowledge, respect and most importantly the integrity of this company Aquarius!!
Sharon Engels
Sharon Engels
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Alec was wonderful and very thorough.
Channing Kill
Channing Kill
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Everything went great and was a smooth process! Cole was very knowledgeable and walked me through what he was doing, why it’s being checked, and what he was looking for!
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Taylor Haggberg
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Debra W.
Debra W.
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Noah and Hanna were fantastic. Arrived on time and cleaned up afterwards. When I added the replacement of my charcoal filters Noah gave me the exact price so there weren’t any surprises before the work was done. Noah explained everything he was doing and seeing as he performed the work.Great team. Great work. Great company.
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Chaise Novotny
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David Emmer
David Emmer
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Honest, friendly !Mark Hanson came out and did a water test. Mark tested everything, after finding out we have a 1/1000 well that is close to perfect. We do have some sediment deposits and with a filter system they could be elevated.He didn't try to sell us useless equipment or services. He was a true honest, not pushy down to earth person, not the annoying typically salesperson.I Highly recommend Mark and Aquarius.We did not buy anything from Aquarius(yet) but after our experience they would be my first call.David Emmer
Jeff Marciniak
Jeff Marciniak
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Justin was very friendly and professional. Work was completed in a timely manner.
Ronald Patire
Ronald Patire
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Excellent service by Nick in replacing our thermostat. Very professional and courteous, as we expected. Highly recommend Aquarius.
Stephen Dvorak
Stephen Dvorak
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Travis Lee was absolutely GREAT! I can’t enough good things about him.
Kathleen Brandt
Kathleen Brandt
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They have always done excellent work.
BTO
BTO
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Xeng was very thorough and detailed. Great service tech
Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly
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Andrew was very professional and courteous. His knowledge of the system and installation skills definetly reinforced our decision to go with the Kinetico system.
Barb Truax
Barb Truax
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david skjervold
david skjervold
1737503230
Excellent furnace repair and service. Technician gave a complete explanation.
Ann Beyer
Ann Beyer
1737502836
Nick was very courteous and professional.
Mary Kelly
Mary Kelly
1737498077
Andrew was truly professional in installing the water softner answered all questions and cleaned up would recommend him to everyone.
Becky Brodeur
Becky Brodeur
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Friendly and thorough
Evan Gorton
Evan Gorton
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Our service person was Joe. He was very professional, courteous, made sure our needs were met, explained things well and was punctual. Would recommend.
Mike Rewitzer
Mike Rewitzer
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Caitlin Lynch
Caitlin Lynch
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Laurie Holmberg
Laurie Holmberg
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Nick prompt, courteous and diagnosed the problem within seconds. As always, Aquarius Kinnetico the best! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+++=
Karen schmelz
Karen schmelz
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Wonderful service!
John Thompson
John Thompson
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Jeff was fabulous.
Lauren Bloch
Lauren Bloch
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Appreciate the quick appointment, someone came out within 2 days of scheduling. Great communication regarding when they would arrive day of. Joe was awesome. Diagnosed the problem with our kinetico filtration system. Explained the issue in a way I understood. Was quick to fix. And helped to get us filters for next time for next replacement. Filters were way cheaper than where I was getting them before. Very much appreciate the time and effort - now we can drink clean water again!
L G
L G
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Great response time...I was impressed with Ryan's great service. He was able to diagnose and resolve my water leak in a timely manner. I was happy he was able to identify the cause of the out of the ordinary leak.
David Rondestvedt
David Rondestvedt
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Cole was on-time and fantastic. Checked my system and couldn't be happier. Great system with no issues!
Mary Bos
Mary Bos
1737413511
As always, Aquarius was timely in scheduling the service and John was great in solving the plumbing issue.
Al Niemi
Al Niemi
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Our tech, Ethan was great. Explained everything, was very profesional, and left us feeling that we are in good hands.
Kari Wiegandt
Kari Wiegandt
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Excellent and professional service. Very knowledgeable
Debra Sanders
Debra Sanders
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Chris was very thorough and sounded confident that he found and fixed the issue we have been having. I have much more confidence and hope this time that the system will now run as it should.Thank you Chris!
Rick Pihl
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Kay Christensen
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Mark Otto
Mark Otto
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Cooper was quick and professional installing our dechlorinator.
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N
1737395297
Very happy with Aquarius. The tech, Nick, gave me all the pricing upfront, no pressure to do anything, and helped identify a separate issue with my water heater. They scheduled an appointment to come out the next day to look at the water heater, and have been told I saved $100 by scheduling while the HVAC tech is here. Will use them again.
Larry Kugler
Larry Kugler
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We've had 5 or 6 Aquarius techs in our home in the past few months. They are all very good at what they do and a pleasure to have around. Aquarius is also great at communicating with the homeowner. Truly a well run business.
Anthony Nesberg
Anthony Nesberg
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Great communication and easy to work with. Shawn and Tyler quickly identified the cause of our leak and repaired the issue on the spot.
Gloria Sell
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Monica Hamling
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Friendly, helpful and explained my service options very well.
Cole Fealy
Cole Fealy
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Justin is the man. He explained everything in detail and showed me some tips and tricks. He left no trace of a mess either. 👌🏻
Mark Paparella
Mark Paparella
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Very professional. Did a great job and were very clean and protected the floors. Left no mess! Also came back next day to adjust something at no charge.
Dixie Grace
Dixie Grace
1737154066
. Service tech was thorough and efficient. He explained everything he did and reminded us to change the furnace filters on schedule.
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