Add-on Heat Pump brochure - Basin Electric Power Cooperative

Efficiency Champs
Clean Savings
The Bright Solution
<strong>Add</strong>ing a heat pump is a one-step way to increase
both efficiency and resale value of your home.
<strong>Add</strong> instant efficiency to your home with an
add-on heat pump (also called dual fuel). It’s a
unique solution to your home heating and cooling
problems. <strong>Add</strong>ing the heat pump to your existing
heating system will give you terrific cooling in
the summer and supply most of your heating
needs. Use your existing oil, propane or natural
gas furnace only during extremely cold periods.
An add-on heat pump will extend the life of your
present system and immediately lower your
monthly energy bills.
<strong>Add</strong>-on head pump specifications are
identical to those of standard heat pumps.
A bonus feature: they operate as central
air conditioners during the summer, keeping
your home comfortable year-round.
Studies show the efficiency of heating with
heat pumps is more environmentally friendly
than gas, oil or propane heating because of
lowered emissions at the source. Emissions at
the power plant are strictly controlled. Both the
environment and your budget will come
out ahead.
<strong>Add</strong>-on heat pumps fill many needs. To find out
if one is right for you, answer these questions:
Do you burn fuel oil, propane
or natural gas
The add-on
heat pump’s
efficiency
compares well
with oil or gas
furnaces. Plus, electricity prices are much more
stable than other fuels, which can save you
money in the long run.
How efficient is your furnace
Oil and propane furnaces can have
efficiencies as low as 60 percent.
Heat pumps are more than
200 percent efficient
until temperatures get
extremely frigid. That’s
when your furnace kicks
in to take up the slack.
Together they make a
dynamic efficiency duo.
How much life is left
in your furnace
If your furnace is more than 15 years old,
it may be time to replace it. Ask your co-op
about sizing a heat pump for your total heating
needs. However, if your furnace is still in good
shape, the load-sharing of an add-on heat pump
can extend its life significantly.
Do you need air conditioning
If you don’t have
central air, or have
a unit that’s ready for
replacement, the addon
heat pump strategy
is perfect for you. Heat
pumps are cooling
champions, so you get
the comfort of air conditioning
in the most efficient system possible.
Do you trust your system
If anything goes wrong with either system,
you’ll be covered, because you’ll actually have
two systems in your home. This adds great
peace of mind when the snow is blowing and
temperatures are going down. And, of course,
electricity is clean and safe and you’ll be using
it most of the time.