When considering the cost for heat pump technology, there are several important factors you will need to take into account. The first, of course, is the cost of the unit itself. This will vary depending on your particular needs, as different homes will have different requirements with regard to the make and model of heat pump that will work best. Next, you’ll have to look at the cost of installation. How much will it be to have a heat pump installed in your home? Finally, you’ll have to find out the yearly costs of running your heat pump and compare that number to other methods of heating the home.
In this article, we’ll look at each of these four factors and break down how you can use them to determine the overall cost of installing a heat pump (or heat pumps) in your home.
What Is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is an innovative technology used for the heating and cooling of homes and other buildings. Unlike most home heating systems, they do not generate heat through the burning of fossil fuel. Instead, they utilize refrigerant coils—much like those in your air conditioner or refrigerator—to transfer heat energy from the outside environment to the inside of the home. Because they do not require a fuel source to operate, they are able to heat homes far more efficiently (and inexpensively) than other heating methods. The heating process can also be reversed, meaning heat pumps can transfer heat energy from the inside of the home to the outside, essentially operating as an air conditioning system as well.
1 & 2. Individual Needs and Cost of the Hardware
We’ve combined the first two elements into one section. You need to take into consideration the cost of the hardware itself, but that will vary depending on the specific model of heat pump you choose to purchase, which, in turn, comes down to what the unique heating and cooling needs are for your home.
Air-Source Heat Pump
One of the most common types is called an air-source heat pump. This model utilizes the same ductwork as forced-air methods of HVAC, meaning it will need to have a dedicated infrastructure in place to operate effectively. Depending on size, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,500 to around $6,000 for one of these devices. If your home doesn’t have ductwork, this probably isn’t the option for you. But don’t worry, you aren’t out of luck.
Mini-Split Heat Pump
Somewhat less common but increasing in popularity is a mini-split heat pump. A “split” system heat pump refers to one that has both an indoor and outdoor unit that are connected so that heat energy can be transferred from outside the house to the inside. Many split systems are ductless, which means they are excellent for smaller homes, apartments, and single rooms, particularly in buildings without ducts built in. If you want to use ductless mini-split heat pumps to heat larger buildings, however, you will likely need to buy several units, which can get expensive. The cost of this type of hardware is usually around $650 to as high as $3,000 for more powerful or advanced units.
Geothermal Heat Pump
The least common—and most expensive—version of this technology is a geothermal heat pump.Geothermal heat pumps make use of heat energy from underground to provide heat to a home. This renders them far less vulnerable to the outside climate than other heat pump models. However, you’ll have to pay extra for this added convenience: geothermal heat pumps can run as much as $10,000 or more.
3. Installation: You Get What You Pay For
Often, the cost for heat pump installation can be the most expensive part of getting one. It’s important not to cheap out here, however. An improperly installed heat pump can not only fail to perform its job as effectively, but it can also wear out more quickly, eventually forcing you to replace it sooner. This, of course, will end up costing you far more than if you had simply paid for good-quality installation in the first place.
A properly installed heat pump should first be the right size for the building it will operate in. Too large, and it will use more energy than necessary, reducing its overall efficiency. Too small, and it will struggle to provide enough heat energy for the home, once again driving up energy costs.
Proper insulation is another key element of an effective home heating system. If the insulation in the attic or around the windows is faulty, then it doesn’t matter how efficient the heat pump is. Energy will be wasted as cold air creeps in through improper seals and heat escapes through walls and roofs without good quality insulation material.
When you have your installation performed, it should be done by professionals, such as the experienced team at Entek HVAC. Paying for top-quality work ensures you’re working with technicians who are practiced in installing every type of heating and cooling technology that you can imagine.
Because every home is different, and every home’s needs are different, it’s hard to estimate the total cost for heat pump installation. The average cost is around $5,500, but it can go as high as $30,000 for advanced geothermal heat pumps. Your HVAC contractor should be able to inspect your home and provide a more accurate estimate before you make any final decisions.
4. Cost Savings
Of course, the up-front costs are only part of the picture when considering the cost for heat pump technology. Over time, it will also save you money on your energy costs; sometimes, these cost savings can be very significant. Just the fact that you no longer have to spend money on natural gas or propane for home heating can lead to huge savings. Your heat pump’s ability to double as an air conditioner means that you can save even more. If you have the right heat pump and it is properly installed, you may be able to save as much as 40 percent on your yearly energy bill.
Besides the reduction in energy costs, though, there are other ways to save money by having a heat pump installed for your home. Depending on your location, for example, you may be able to take advantage of government-issued rebates for users of environmentally friendly, green technology. Do some research to see if any incentives are available where you live; if you live in the state of Oregon, for example, you may be eligible for a 30 percent tax credit when you have a heat pump installed.
The cost for a heat pump is a little different for each home and situation. You should consider the cost of both the system itself and the installation, but don’t forget to also weigh the long-term cost savings that come with an energy-efficient HVAC unit. Talk to an HVAC contractor today to discuss your options.