If you use oil to heat your home, you're using outdated technology. By switching from heating oil to electric heat, you can make your home more comfortable, improve your home's air quality, and reduce your carbon footprint. One of the most efficient ways to switch to electric heat is through an air source heat pump.
A heat pump is an efficient electric system that can heat and cool your home year-round. It works by redistributing existing heat, instead of generating heat directly (by burning oil, for example).
Heat pumps are incredibly efficient because they can move heat even in very cold temperatures and require less electricity than traditional heating systems. Whether you use an air source (uses outside air) or a geothermal heat pump (uses underground air), you will quickly see benefits.
Learn more about the pros, cons, and options for heat pumps in our comprehensive guide to heat pumps!
When you switch to electric heat with a high-performance air source heat pump, your home will have a consistently even temperature throughout. Heat pumps filter the air in your home, reducing the amount of allergens, humidity, and dust in your home. Since heat pumps don't produce "dry heat" like furnaces, you won't be exposed to as many sinus and respiratory issues.
With heat pumps, there are fewer issues like air pollution, noise, and noxious smells. In addition, your home will enjoy more consistent heat during the winter. Heat pumps do not turn on and off like an oil-burning furnace. Instead, they continuously circulate warm air throughout your home and operate silently. Your home's air quality will improve. Heat pumps automatically filter the air for dust and allergens.
You can install an air-source heat pump in any home, and it is a flexible, customizable heating system option. You do not need existing ductwork to install it, and it can help you save money on energy bills.
Overall, researchers have found heat pumps can save homeowners an average of about $950 per year compared to oil furnaces.
In terms of energy used, heat pumps can reduce your energy use for heating by up to 50%. Heat pumps are also not subject to rapid spikes in energy prices like heating oil.
Heat pumps allow you to upgrade your heating and cooling systems simultaneously. When you switch to an electric heat pump, you're getting the best and most energy-efficient air heating and cooling system on the market. Switching to electric heat can also make your home more attractive to potential buyers if you decide to sell. Energy efficiency is a growing concern for homebuyers, and having an electric heat pump is a great selling point.
The cost of converting from a heating oil to an electric heat pump can vary depending on your location, the size of your home, and the specific heat pump you choose. However, in most cases, the long-term energy savings will make up for the initial cost. There is also a new federal tax credit of up to $2,000 for installing heat pumps, which significantly improves your buying power.
Because heat pumps don't require fossil fuels to operate, you can keep your house cool while not contributing to carbon emissions. More efficient heat generation also drastically reduces energy costs. Therefore, electric heating is better for the environment, especially when the electricity is generated from renewable sources.
Heating oil requires burning fossil fuels, but switching to an electric heater will take that extra emissions source out of the equation. When paired with a renewable energy source, a heat pump can heat and cool your home without any carbon emissions.
Converting from oil to electric heat is a smart move, and a heat pump is the most efficient way to make the switch. With a heat pump, you'll enjoy better comfort, better air quality, and a more sustainable way to heat your home.
While electric heating was not as efficient 30 years ago, modern cold-climate heat pumps are designed to make the most of the electricity they consume, keeping you warm throughout the winter season. Modern air source heat pumps work very efficiently in temperatures as low as -13 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is a popular misconception. Modern-day cold-climate heat pumps are effective in transferring heat from the atmosphere into your home, even in below-zero temperatures. Most American homes don't require a backup furnace-based heating system, particularly if equipped with efficient heat pumps. Unless you are in an extremely cold area that rarely gets above freezing, you won't need a backup system.
In the past, heat pumps struggled to keep up when temperatures dropped below freezing. However, electric air-source heat pumps can operate effectively even during cold winter nights. They're the top-selling heating system in countries like Norway, Switzerland, and Finland, which experience extremely cold winters.
In the long run, heat pumps are a better investment. With proper insulation and upgrades, you can use a heat pump to reduce your energy use by up to 50%. While heat pumps can be more expensive to install upfront, many homeowners are eligible for tax credits on their upgrades. The Inflation Reduction Act offers all homeowners up to $2,000 in tax credits for heat pump installation. These incentives can help offset the initial cost of switching to electric heat pump technology.
This misconception started because electric furnaces can sometimes be more expensive to run in winter than natural gas heaters. However, furnaces are not the most energy-efficient way to heat your home—electric heat pumps are. Heat pumps are more efficient than other options because they don’t need to burn fossil fuels or electricity to create hot air. Instead, they merely extract heat from outside your home and transfer it inside to keep you warm and comfortable. (Yes, there is plenty of heat in the atmosphere outside in winter!)
Converting from oil to an electric heat pump can be a considerable upfront expense. To know how much it will cost you, it's best to get a professional estimate, as every home is different.
The cost of a new heat pump system alone can range from $2,200 to $14,000 or more for the equipment alone. These numbers could increase depending on your home's square footage, local installation costs, required local permits, and the size and type of air-source heat pump needed for your home. However, the cost is the only disadvantage we found in heat pumps, which may discourage some people from making the switch. In terms of time, heat pumps can typically be installed in less than a week. Incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act allow you to deduct 30% of your heat pump installation costs up to $2,000, which provides a significant boost in affordability.
For most homeowners who use oil heat, getting an electric air-source heat pump professionally installed is relatively simple, and it can be integrated into the existing electrical framework of your home. Some homeowners may need to do electrical upgrade work in their home, which can be an additional cost. Don't worry, many homeowners qualify for heat pump tax credits and rebates under the Inflation Reduction Act legislation. Also, your utility provider may have some current rebates and incentives that meet or exceed the rebates in the new legislation.
Ready to get started? QuitCarbon can give you a free "Electrification Plan" that will detail how you can make your home more energy efficient. Once complete, we can put you in touch with trusted professionals who can install your new heat pump.