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That means they absorb and release heat from the air (rather than water or earth), and deliver heating or cooling to your home through a forced-air system (rather than radiators). In the U.S., we typically use air-source heat pumps, and most often a subset known as air-to-air heat pumps. Good insulation and air sealing of your home and duct system are important regardless of how you heat your home, but they’re even more beneficial with heat pumps. They also blow cooler air than furnaces and run almost constantly at a low level, rather than blasting heat for short periods throughout the day. A modern heat pump is most efficient when your thermostat is set at a constant temperature-it actually saves energy if you don’t turn it down overnight. Living with a heat pump is a bit different from using a traditional heating system. Ductless heat pump systems, called mini-splits, can provide heating and cooling in a home without ducts, or add climate control to rooms that the main system doesn’t reach. Many homes with existing ductwork for forced-air HVAC systems can be adapted to heat pumps. You can use a heat pump as the sole heating and cooling appliance in your home, or you can combine a heat pump with an existing heating system.

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Because of their energy savings and environmental benefits, some states and utility companies offer rebates or other incentives to homeowners who install heat pumps. When they’re powered by renewable energy, whether that’s rooftop or community solar or a cleaner grid, they become even more sustainable. Heat pumps offer a lower-carbon way to heat your home than other options, even if they run on electricity that’s mostly generated by fossil fuels.

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Today’s cold-climate heat pumps can efficiently collect that free heat and move it into your home. As counterintuitive as it seems, there’s always some free heat energy in the air, even on frigid winter days. But the technology has improved, making air-source heat pumps a practical choice almost anywhere in the country-even in places with cold winters. Until relatively recently, air-source heat pumps were predominantly used only in the southern U.S., where they’re a natural fit for hot summers and mild winters. Heat pumps just have a few small differences that allow them to move heat in two directions, in and out. The two types of appliances look similar, are generally manufactured by the same companies, and use almost all the same parts. It’s the same way an air conditioner works, and in cooling mode, air-source heat pumps work identically to ACs. The most common type of heat pumps, called air-source heat pumps, work by absorbing heat from the air and moving it either from outdoors to indoors (in heating mode) or vice versa (in cooling mode). We do not test or recommend specific heat pump models because the systems are highly customized to individual houses and climates. Our ratings include 24 brands and are based on data from our member surveys covering more than 13,500 heat pumps in real-world use, installed between 20.

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Plus, we offer advice on how to make the most of your heat pump once it’s installed.Ĭonsumer Reports members can also view our heat pump ratings for the most reliable brands of ducted heat pumps and the brands with the highest owner satisfaction.

We’ll describe the features to look for and share tips on how to find a qualified installer.

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This guide will help you find the right heat pump for your home, whether it’s a ducted system or a mini-split, and whether you’re looking to replace or supplement a traditional heating and cooling system or simply want to upgrade to a newer, more efficient heat pump. They’re powered by electricity, are relatively easy to install in many homes, and may save you money compared with other heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems, depending on where you live and other factors, such as the cost of electricity.Ī heat pump won’t be the perfect system for every home, but the technology is worth considering any time you need to replace or upgrade part of your HVAC system. Because they absorb and move ambient heat rather than burning fuel (or using energy-hungry electric resistance) to generate it, heat pumps are exceptionally energy-efficient and environmentally friendly compared with other home climate-control systems. A heat pump heats and cools your home, functioning like a combined furnace and central air conditioner.