The Future of Low Carbon Home Comfort, Step 2: Heat Pumps

Back to Blog

Welcome to part two of our “Future of Low Carbon Home Comfort” blog series!

As you may remember, this series began in part as a response to our recent post about climate change in 2018. As we explored climate change, and how human activities have contributed to that phenomenon here in Maine and on the planet, we found that about 87% of human-produced CO2 emissions come from burning fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas. This makes it all the more important for homeowners in Maine and elsewhere to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and establish what we’re calling “low carbon home comfort.”

In part one of this series, we explored the first step to achieving low carbon home comfort: improving home energy efficiency through upgrades like weatherization and basement encapsulation. Improving home efficiency first is crucial because as you move on to making heating system improvements or even installing solar, you can rest assured that these new systems will be sized correctly and perform optimally in your home.

Now, in part two the series, we’re diving further into how you can cut your reliance on fossil fuels and achieve low carbon home comfort by switching to a heat pump heating and cooling system.

Heat Pumps Conserve More Energy

Heat pumps are growing in popularity because of their ability to provide energy efficient heat in the winter and efficient cooling in the summer. But how do they work so efficiently to keep your home comfortable?

Heat pumps are efficient because they are able to transfer heat from one place from another. Rather than burning fossil fuels like oil or natural gas to generate heat, they use electricity and refrigerant line to move already-existing heat. In the winter, a heat pump absorbs ambient outdoor heat, compresses it, and moves it indoors. In the summer, it uses a reverse process to move unwanted heat outdoors.

Thanks to this energy efficient process, heat pumps can achieve efficiencies well above 100% and provide hot air in cold climates even when outdoor temperatures are as low as -15 °F.

Efficient Heating Options for Your Maine Home

Heat pump systems come in a wide array of options, so there is sure to be an energy efficient option for your home.

Ductless Heat Pumps

Ductless heat pumps, also known as mini-split heat pumps, consist of one outdoor unit and one or more indoor air handlers. They are “ductless” because they do not rely on ductwork to distribute conditioned air. Instead, indoor air handlers are installed directly in the rooms they condition and come in four styles: wall units, floor units, ceiling cassettes, and mini-ducts.

You might choose to install one indoor air handler in a particularly hard-to-heat room, or you might install multiple air handlers throughout your home for a complete heating and cooling solution. If you’re looking to minimize your reliance on fossil fuels like oil, propane, and natural gas and you want to take the ductless route, we recommend talking to one of our trusted heat pump partners about installing a whole-home ductless heat pump system.

Ducted Heat Pumps

Do you already have existing ductwork you want to take advantage of? A central, ducted heat pump might be best for you. A ducted heat pump replaces your existing heating and cooling systems, such as a furnace and air conditioner, and provides energy efficient heating and cooling with one unit. Again, we recommend getting in touch with one of our heat pump partners if you’re considering this heat pump option.

High-Efficiency Pellet Boilers

In very cold parts of Maine, you might consider pairing your heat pump with a high-efficiency pellet boiler. Pellet boilers are similar to pellet stoves and use local, renewable fuel — making them a Maine grown, lower carbon heating solution. One of our heat pump partners can help you decide if this is the best heat pump option for you.

Get Rebates When You Upgrade Your Heating System

Aside from energy efficiency and reduced reliance on fossil fuels, one of the main advantages of switching to a heat pump system is that you could qualify for valuable rebates from Efficiency Maine. Efficiency Maine is currently offering rebates of up to $750 for installation of qualifying ductless heat pumps. You can also receive a rebate of up to $3,000 when you install a biomass boiler or furnace, such as a pellet boiler.

It All Starts with Improving Home Efficiency

Remember: reducing your reliance on fossil fuels and achieving low carbon home comfort starts with making your home more energy efficient. If you’re considering upgrading to a heat pump system, talk to our team about how you can reduce your home’s energy load and improve comfort first with smart upgrades like insulation, air sealing, and basement encapsulation. Taking this vital step will help ensure that your new heat pump runs at peak performance. Once we have made your home as efficient as possible, we can connect you with one of our trusted partners for professional heat pump installation. Schedule a free energy consult with us to get started.

Be sure to stay tuned for part three of this series: solar!

Reduce your home’s energy load before you upgrade to an energy efficient heat pump system. Contact us or call 207-594-2244 to schedule your free consult!

Want to achieve low carbon home comfort with a new heat pump?

Start by reducing your home’s energy load 207-594-2244

The folks at Evergreen did a great job fixing a rather major insulation problem in my house, which they helped identify with a great audit. When the work began, they were thorough, upbeat, and -- dare I say it -- efficient. I strongly recommend them.

Michael Williams

The team members were very professional, worked very hard, paid very close attention to detail and cleaned up meticulously every day. I really appreciated the care they took knowing the smallest details were going to make a big difference to our heating bills. Thank you!

Pam B.

Brunswick

I had gotten estimates from several other companies, but Evergreen was in another league entirely with their professionalism. If you want the job done correctly, I couldn't recommend this company enough.

Rayna Mayo

Freeport

I cant say enough about this company and the benefits that it created for our family. They are very professional and have effectively re-insulated our home. The heating bill proves the point.

Bob O.

Springvale

The crew members from Evergreen Home Performance each made sure to greet us every day, while maintaining their distance in this time of the pandemic. Their work took a total of nine days, spread over three weeks. Even though they were working in multiple rooms of our house, as well as the basement and attic, they were unobtrusive and always cleaned up after themselves every day. The on-sight manager kept us informed of their daily schedule so we'd know which parts of the house they'd be working on.

Bob & Sue

Whitefield

I was very impressed by the professionalism of this company and the workers. Brian R. was very prompt in replying to my questions; the crew was meticulous in all parts of the work and attentive to the safety aspects concerning Covid; and Brian was extremely thorough in the final inspection. My attic is now snug and warm and I've noticed that the second floor is warmer as well.

Julia S.

Rockland

Several years ago Brian Robinson evaluated the crawl space at my summer home on Islesboro where I knew moisture was becoming a problem. I had done quite a bit of work in the space many years prior with mixed results. When Brian offered some suggestions, they were ideas that incorporated work previously done, and would be a relatively low cost effort to improve the situation. He offered this advice over several phone conversations of some length, informally, and at no charge.

Cliff R.

Islesboro

Evergreen listened and produced a thoughtful evaluation, proposal and comprehensive plan for our attic and basement. They exhibited excellent workmanship, teamwork, and came back as planned after the completion of the job to test the outcomes. Their overall performance as insulation and home improvement contractors is truly outstanding and we highly recommend them.

Susan S.

Saco

Thanks Evergreen Home Performance for helping to make our home more efficient. Many thanks as well to Bryan for the initial walk through and recommendations to make our home more efficient and to Dave, Roland, and Jacob for a job that was done professionally and courteous.  We were amazed at the level of efficiency and everyday they made sure to protect our floors, carpets, and furniture. We had daily discussions with Dave about progress and what was being done and where they were at in the project.

Carol Fink

"Working with Evergreen from start to finish was a great experience." See what our customers have to say about their experience with Evergreen Home Performance. 

Jeff L.

Great company. Very professional and thorough. They take the time to explain everything and offer options to fit your budget. Wonderful experience from start to finish.

Bonnie Eustace

Evergreen did a fantastic job replacing 28 windows in our house. They were friendly, courteous, and very detail oriented. Brian did a great job planning, estimating and executing the project. Our energy use has dropped significantly since the work was done.

Alex B.

Kittery

I never leave reviews, but had a great experience with Evergreen and wanted to spread the word! In short, we worked with them to insulate our roof this winter and have noticed surprising immediate results. The constant ice dams I have wrestled with are completely gone, and the home is noticeably more comfortable. It's a little too early to tell if our oil bill is going to reduce, but I imagine we will see an impact there as well.

Joel W.

Portland

Evergreen did everything they said they would and more. I actually don't mind going into the basement now since they sealed it. The air quality in the house is noticeably better and it's warmer in the winter. We can even store clothing down there where before, whatever was in there would mildew. Even the spider population declined! I used to vacuum so many of them from the corners of the ceilings in the house. Not any more!

Loriel Van Dusen

Very easy process, start to finish.  Friendly, professional, and really know their stuff.  They made some improvements to our condo and we were very happy with how it played out.  Would definitely recommend them.

Clayton Eames

Portland Buy Local
Efficiency Maine
EPA Lead-Safe Certified
Building Performance Association
BPI Certified