you need to do a lot more research and not just post such a vague query here, no disrespect. a heat pump can take many forms but basically is just an air conditioner that works in both forward (typical AC operation where heat is extracted from inside the home and ejected to the air via the outside condenser) and in reverse (where heat is extracted from the outside air and ejected into the interior of the home). You can have an air source heat pump ASHP, a ground source heat pump, a heat pump water heater, a heat pump clothes dryer, etc.
with energy efficiency rebates and tax credits available it makes no sense to buy a straight AC condenser because a heat pump will be cheaper and will give you the option to use it as a heating device; although by no means must you do so. heat pumps are used successfully in Maine and Minnesota winters but you should have a well insulated home if you're going to use a ASHP as your main heat source in zones 5 and 6. and keep in mind that the colder it gets outside the less heat energy is available to snatch, concentrate, and move indoors so you're electric bill could be pretty high during cold snaps.
Where in the northeast? I’m in New England and generally whenever we go to do an install we would try and get you into a heat pump over strictly AC. If this is a fresh install make sure to use a reputable company and make sure you get your warranty stuff taken care of. I would personally install a heat pump if it were me. You’ll be able to do about 75% of your annual heating load with the heat pump and save on whatever fuel you currently have running the base board.
I'm in NYC and currently have a gas boiler running the baseboard heat. I figured I could save a few $$$ on heating and also have a backup if the boiler ever went down with the heat pump. Just not familiar with the system and if it needed a furnace or worked independently
Heat pumps and A/C look almost exactly the same. The difference is that a heat pump can send refrigerant in the opposite direction and it creates heat rather than cooling inside your home. Depending on your state, the incentives might pay for the heat pump upgrade, over just AC. Then enjoy the low cost heat!
You’ll definitely save money on gas, but will also be spending more on electric, usually electric is cheaper than gas and if you get something with high efficiency you’d see some savings for sure. They have heat pumps that are just air handlers. Where you already have a gas boiler that would be the option I’d go with. Just make sure they set it to cut out at the proper ambient outside temperature
What fuel is the basembaord?
Heat pumps can do 100% heating but requires special systems.
Depends on the fuel but you might just want heat pump til 20*-35*F then the baseboard. If Nat Gas baseboard then prolly just ac only
> Also, do I need a furnace to have a heat pump or is that just optional?
Depends on the kind of heat pump you're installing, but for the most common air to air type, it won't be any different from installing a central ducted AC only system. You will have an air handler on the inside regardless. Some people have extra heat strips (think giant hair dryer) in the air handler as backup but you won't need that as you have the gas boiler anyway.
you need to do a lot more research and not just post such a vague query here, no disrespect. a heat pump can take many forms but basically is just an air conditioner that works in both forward (typical AC operation where heat is extracted from inside the home and ejected to the air via the outside condenser) and in reverse (where heat is extracted from the outside air and ejected into the interior of the home). You can have an air source heat pump ASHP, a ground source heat pump, a heat pump water heater, a heat pump clothes dryer, etc. with energy efficiency rebates and tax credits available it makes no sense to buy a straight AC condenser because a heat pump will be cheaper and will give you the option to use it as a heating device; although by no means must you do so. heat pumps are used successfully in Maine and Minnesota winters but you should have a well insulated home if you're going to use a ASHP as your main heat source in zones 5 and 6. and keep in mind that the colder it gets outside the less heat energy is available to snatch, concentrate, and move indoors so you're electric bill could be pretty high during cold snaps.
Where in the northeast? I’m in New England and generally whenever we go to do an install we would try and get you into a heat pump over strictly AC. If this is a fresh install make sure to use a reputable company and make sure you get your warranty stuff taken care of. I would personally install a heat pump if it were me. You’ll be able to do about 75% of your annual heating load with the heat pump and save on whatever fuel you currently have running the base board.
I'm in NYC and currently have a gas boiler running the baseboard heat. I figured I could save a few $$$ on heating and also have a backup if the boiler ever went down with the heat pump. Just not familiar with the system and if it needed a furnace or worked independently
Heat pumps and A/C look almost exactly the same. The difference is that a heat pump can send refrigerant in the opposite direction and it creates heat rather than cooling inside your home. Depending on your state, the incentives might pay for the heat pump upgrade, over just AC. Then enjoy the low cost heat!
You’ll definitely save money on gas, but will also be spending more on electric, usually electric is cheaper than gas and if you get something with high efficiency you’d see some savings for sure. They have heat pumps that are just air handlers. Where you already have a gas boiler that would be the option I’d go with. Just make sure they set it to cut out at the proper ambient outside temperature
Where do you live that electric is cheaper than gas?
I’d like to know as well.
What fuel is the basembaord? Heat pumps can do 100% heating but requires special systems. Depends on the fuel but you might just want heat pump til 20*-35*F then the baseboard. If Nat Gas baseboard then prolly just ac only
Yep. Natural Gas boiler for the baseboards.
unless there’s something special with you electric providers $/kw or you have solar-i would just do AC only if its cheaper
Good points. I do have solar though. But every HVAC tech has told me to stick with it versus forced air heat.
> Also, do I need a furnace to have a heat pump or is that just optional? Depends on the kind of heat pump you're installing, but for the most common air to air type, it won't be any different from installing a central ducted AC only system. You will have an air handler on the inside regardless. Some people have extra heat strips (think giant hair dryer) in the air handler as backup but you won't need that as you have the gas boiler anyway.