Consider a Ground or air Source Heat Pump When Replacing Your air Conditioner
Posted by Grant Bowman on August 1, 2016
If you are considering replacing your old inefficient air conditioner soon, talk with a Wright-Hennepin (WH) heating and cooling specialist about installing an air source heat pump (ASHP) or ground source heat pump (GSHP).
These systems will either supply a portion (ASHP) or all (GSHP) of your heating and cooling needs. ASHPs cool much like an air conditioner, but can reverse the process to provide heat. Most of the current ASHPs are designed to cool and heat your home down to 15 degrees F. GSHPs heat and cool your home by transferring heat from the ground into your home. GSHPs can cool your house during the summer months and heat it all winter long quite efficiently.
Both of these systems come with two great rebate options this year from WH and through the Conservation Improvement Program (CIP). CIP rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
WH’s ASHP rebate is $200/ton with a maximum rebate of $900 and must have a SEER rating of 14.0 or higher. The CIP rebate is based upon the efficiency of the unit (not tonnage) with these specifications:
- 13.0 to 14.4 SEER: $50
- 14.5 to 14.9 SEER: $480
- 15.0 to 15.9 SEER: $580
- 16.0+ SEER: $630
For example, a 3-ton ASHP that is 16.0 SEER could see a rebate total of $1,230 – a nice amount of savings. Plus, there may be rebates available from the manufacturer.
If you decide you want the heat pump technology to heat your whole house, you could install a GSHP. The efficiencies of GSHPs continue to increase; with the advent of variable frequency drives to run the new compressors and blower motors, we are seeing new units delivering around $5 worth of heat for every $1 spent on electricity. That is what a C.O.P of 5.0 means
WH’s Rebates for GSHP’s are $125/ton with a maximum rebate of $750. We also offer a second CIP rebate of $200/ton with a maximum rebate of $1200. You can take advantage of both.
If you were to install a 6-ton GSHP on our Uncontrolled GSHP program, you could potentially receive a rebate up to $1,950. There are manufacturer rebates available at different times of the year also. (Note: The Federal Energy Tax Credit of 30% is running out the end of 2016, don’t miss this opportunity).
Heat pump technology has been around a long time, it has made great strides in reliability and efficiency, and has become a great way to provide heat and cooling for your household needs. Call (763) 477-3000, or email info@whe.org for more information on heating systems and rebates.
