Heat Pumps

Practical Solution

The “How To”

There are two main types of heat pumps: air-source, and ground-source (geothermal). Geothermal heat pumps use the Earth's relatively constant temperatures for indoor heating and cooling. Only a few feet below the surface, temperatures stay relatively consistent and do not fluctuate. This means that during the summer the pumps cool your house and in the winter they heat it. The U.S. Department of Energy offers a fact sheet with links to other resources that describes the overall effectiveness of geothermal systems.

Air-source heat pumps transfer heat between your house and the outside air. According to the US Department of Energy, today's heat pumps can reduce your electricity use for heating by up to 75% compared to electric resistance heating such as furnaces. They also dehumidify better than standard central air conditioners, resulting in less energy usage and more cooling comfort in the summer. The US Department of Energy offers an overview of both geothermal heat pumps and air-source heat pumps.

The US Department of Energy offers a buying guide for the process of working with a contractor, designing your system, and the installation process.

Heat pumps are an energy efficient solution. A home energy audit can help you identify other opportunities to make your home more energy efficient. 

Planning & Zoning

As part of OneSTL, St. Louis County drafted ordinances that could be used for alternative energy and ground source heat pump systems. For local governments their primary role is assessing their local regulatory code environment and ensuring municipal/county building codes permit geothermal systems.

Cities or counties may want to look into actively promoting the use of alternative energies. Green Teams and other advisory panels can also work with a local government to lead community efforts.

Dollars & Cents

There is a national database of incentives for all types of renewable energy resources. Specifically for heat pumps, there is a tax credit for both air-source heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps. Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois may offer additional incentives for heat pumps, for their residential and business utility customers. In addition, many regional HVAC and building contractors can perform a structural and site assessment and provide not only installation cost estimates but also long-term savings forecasts.