I got a heat pump! Now what?

What do I need to know, and do, now that I've upgraded to heat pump HVAC for heating and cooling my home?

Congratulations on taking a big step forward! Your home is now safer, more comfortable, and much more friendly to your community and planet.

Here are some things to know and do now that you have a heat pump:

Rebates

• Finish your rebate applications - and note your tax credits
  • In your QuitCarbon Insights you'll see rebates and tax credits (if any) that apply to your upgrade. Some of them are for your contractor to request, while others are your responsibility (you'll see those clearly marked). For the ones you need to do, do them promptly - it never pays to wait. For tax credits, set a reminder for yourself to claim them when you file your taxes. 
  • You might qualify for the QuitCarbon Rebate!
• Be responsive to your contractor for their rebate applications
  • Other rebates must be applied for by your contractor. They may request things of you to complete those applications - please respond promptly.
• Get ready to wait for rebate payments
  • Unfortunately, most rebate programs take a long time to issue payments - we all wish this wasn't the case! Sometimes payments can take many months to arrive - and during that wait, there is typically little or no communications from the rebate programs.
  • Be sure to keep Hello@QuitCarbon.com CC'ed on any emails you send or receive about rebates - it helps us help you (and everyone) if we can see what you see. 
  • If the wait for rebate payments is a hardship for you, please contact QuitCarbon.

Utilities

• Inform your utility (to raise your baseline)
  • Many utilities offer potential (and typically slight) utility bill savings when you move your home's energy use from gas to electricity - but they need you to tell them you've made the upgrade!
  • Call your utility (yes, you generally have to call) and tell them you've switched your home heating from gas to electric - and you'd like them to "increase your baseline" or "raise your Tier 1 limit".
  • If you hear anything from your utility that might make this easier for folks following in your footsteps, please inform QuitCarbon so we can update this page!
• Check with your utility about switching to a better rate plan
  • Many utilities have electric rate plans that may lower your bills (compared to staying on your historic rate plan). Utilities typically have online calculators that help you decide - but be warned that these calculators typically assume that the next 12 months of your electricity usage will be very similar to your past 12 months, and when you get a heat pump, that won't be true!
  • Try calling your utility and asking for their advice. Here are the utility rate plans that you are likely to benefit from:
    • Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E): Electric Home Rate Plan also known as E-ELEC (ask QuitCarbon if you qualify for a special hourly pricing plan pilot that is guaranteed to save you even more!)
    • Southern California Edison (SCE): TOU-D-PRIME
    • San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E): TOU-ELEC

Heat Pump

• Read the manual
  • Your heat pump should have come with a user manual (ask your contractor if it didn't) - and likely your new thermostat or remote has its own manual. Read these instructions in full - then try out your heat pump - then read them again! 
• Program your thermostat
  • Heat pumps tend to produce the best results when you "set it and forget it" - which means programming your thermostat to the temps you like during the day and night, then leaving it alone. 
• Assume a "learning curve"
  • Heat pumps are different (and better!) than gas heat in so many ways - don't assume you'll become instantly familiar with all those differences. Give yourself time and forgiveness as you learn. And learn by doing! Try adjusting the thermostat programming, then leave it for a few days and see how it feels. Try "turning it up" real high - or turning it all the way off for a few hours.