Pros and cons of air source heat pumps

Choosing how you want to heat and cool your property is an important decision, especially regarding your energy bills. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), heating and cooling make up roughly 53% of energy consumption in the average U.S. home, adding up to about $93 billion per year. Because these technologies make up such a large portion of energy costs, homeowners are increasingly looking to upgrade to newer, more innovative, and more energy-efficient technologies like air source heat pumps (ASHPs). In this article, we'll dive into some of the most important advantages and disadvantages of ASHPs to keep in mind as you evaluate what heating and cooling technologies are best for your home.

There are several advantages to installing air source heat pumps over more traditional heating and cooling technologies; however, every home is unique, and heat pumps aren't the best solution for every building or layout. Here are some of the top pros and cons of air source heat pumps to keep in mind while determining whether they are right for your home.

Pros and cons of air source heat pumps

There are many benefits to heating and cooling your home with air source heat pumps. Here are some of the most important ones:

ASHPs are efficient

Air source heat pumps have higher efficiencies than other heating and cooling technologies; you typically use less fuel to heat or cool your home with ASHPs than you would with more conventional technologies. Over time, consuming less energy can help you reduce your environmental impact and energy bills.

Many heating and cooling technologies run on fossil fuel or electricity produced from burning fossil fuels, which releases greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. When you reduce your property's fuel consumption, you're helping to decrease carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and reduce your carbon footprint.

ASHPs usually help you save on your overall utility bills

Additionally, using less fuel helps you save on your overall energy costs. The amount you can save depends on several factors, including your existing heating or cooling source, where you live, and the fuel cost in your area. According to research from the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), homeowners who switch to air source heat pumps in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions save roughly $459 annually compared to electric resistance heaters and $948 annually compared to oil furnaces.

ASHPs have some health and wellness benefits

Have you ever been distracted by a noisy furnace? Air source heat pumps operate relatively quietly compared to other heating and cooling technologies, mainly if you're using ductless mini splits.

Just how quiet are they? Sound is typically measured in decibels (dB): the lower the decibel rating, the softer the sound. Dishwashers and AC units usually run at around 60 dB; in comparison, many air source heat pumps operate at 40 to 60 dB. Remember that most of this noise comes from the outdoor unit of air source heat pumps; if you install ductless mini splits inside your building, they typically only make between 20 to 40 dB of noise, which is near the sound rating of a whisper.

In addition to increased comfortability from noise benefits, air source heat pumps help improve air quality through air filtration and reduce allergens in the air while heating and cooling your home. They also help to dehumidify your environment, making your living spaces more comfortable.

ASHPs combine heating and cooling systems into one

When you install an air source heat pump, you benefit from the heater and air conditioner in one. This means you can usually reduce the costs and time associated with installing two different systems that serve separate purposes and lessen the amount of physical space required for two individual technologies.

ASHPs let you heat and cool your home in zones

Another benefit of using air source heat pumps is that you can heat or cool a specific room or zone in your home to a certain temperature. This is particularly useful if you experience persistently colder or warmer areas in their home that they want to regulate. Alternatively, saving energy and money is also helpful by keeping different areas of your home at different temperature settings. For example, if you have a multi-zone air source heat pump, you may keep bedroom areas cool at night during the summer but have a higher temperature setting in areas you aren't using, so you're not paying to cool those other rooms.

While there are benefits to using ASHPs, this technology isn't the best heating or cooling solution for every home. Here are some of the disadvantages of air source heat pumps:

ASHPs can cost more upfront than other conventional HVAC technologies

If you're looking for the lowest upfront cost while shopping for a heating and cooling solution, air source heat pumps likely won't be it.

The cost of installing air source heat pumps depends on several factors, including equipment quality, installation complexity, the type of system (ducted vs. ductless), and your home's size and layout. Including both equipment and labor, central air source heat pump installations typically cost between $12,000 and $20,000, while ductless systems cost around $3,500 to $5,000 for each indoor unit installed. On the other hand, gas, electric, and oil furnaces typically cost less than $5,000 to install.

To truly compare the cost of installing air source heat pumps with other alternatives, you'll need to measure against the combined cost of installing a heating and cooling system.

Increased electric bills

While air source heat pumps use less energy and can help many property owners save on heating bills, this isn't true for everyone. Remember, air source heat pumps require electricity to operate. This means that even if you use less energy to heat your home with air source heat pumps, you may spend more money on utility bills overall if the cost of electricity in your area is significantly higher than the fuel you'd otherwise heat your home with.

Notably, air source heat pumps will likely save you money if you run your home on oil or propane, but you may initially spend more money heating your home with air source heat pumps if you'd otherwise use natural gas.

ASHPs are susceptible to power outages

Air source heat pumps need electricity to operate, so you can't run them during grid outages when you lose power. However, it's worth noting that even heating technologies that primarily run on gas (like furnaces or boilers) require electricity, even if only minimal amounts.

If you experience frequent power outages, one way to increase the resiliency of your home is to install a solar-plus-storage system. That way, you can use solar electricity previously stored in your battery to power appliances (like air source heat pumps) if there is an outage.

The best way to save on heating and cooling bills is to power your air source heat pumps with solar. By pairing these two technologies together, you can run your heat pumps on free, clean electricity your home generates. Sign up today for free on the EnergySage Marketplace to get solar quotes, compare offers side by side from qualified, pre-vetted installers near you, or speak with an Energy Advisor to discuss which solar option is best for you. 

Curious about what you could save by going solar? Check out our Solar Calculator for an instant estimate for your home. If you're unable to install solar on your property, you can also use our Community Solar Marketplace to find solar farms near you to subscribe to and save between 5% and 15% annually on electric bills.