Heat pump HVAC systems are playing a pivotal role in the global transition from gas to electric power and they’re one of the most important electrification upgrades you can make. Heat pumps provide energy efficient heating and air conditioning in one system and they don’t burn fossil fuels to create heat, leading to many benefits, including healthier indoor air quality and lower carbon emissions.
Ducted heat pumps are a type of heat pump system that connect to your ductwork. They provide central heating and air conditioning for your entire home, ensuring consistent, reliable comfort.
Ready to make the switch to all-electric heating and air conditioning? Use the Clean Energy Connection to find reputable heat pump installers near you in California!
Why Install a Ducted Heat Pump System?
Ducted heat pump heating and cooling systems have many benefits for your comfort, your health, and the environment.
- All-in-one heating and cooling - A heat pump is one piece of equipment that can replace both your furnace and your air conditioner.
- Central heat and AC - Ducted heat pumps connect to your home’s ductwork to provide central heating and air conditioning.
- Reduced carbon emissions - Heat pumps are cleaner and more efficient than combustion heating systems. They reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a cleaner planet.
- Safer - Heat pumps do not produce harmful byproducts like carbon monoxide the way combustion heating systems do, leading to a safer home and healthier indoor air quality.
- Power with solar - Because they’re electric, heat pumps can run on solar energy. If you have or plan to install solar panels, a heat pump is a no-brainer.
- Incentives - Heat pumps qualify for incentives, including a $2,000 federal tax credit, to reduce upfront costs.
How Do Ducted Heat Pumps Work?
A heat pump is a type of HVAC system that provides both heating and air conditioning, unlike a conventional furnace that can only heat or a conventional air conditioner that can only cool. They work by transferring heat from one place to another. In cooling mode, ducted heat pumps work exactly like an air conditioner—they extract heat and humidity from the air inside your home and “pump” it outside. In heating mode, they work in reverse, collecting heat from the air outside and “pumping” it into your home.
Ducted heat pumps connect to your home’s ductwork. They deliver heated or cooled air through supply vents that are positioned throughout your home, the same way a central heating or central air conditioning system does. This is different from how a ductless mini split heat pump works. Mini split heat pumps do not connect to ductwork. Instead, they deliver heated or cooled air directly to the room they’re installed in, the same way a window air conditioner does.
Types of Ducted Heat Pumps
There are two types of ducted heat pump systems:
- Air-source heat pumps - Extract heat from the air and move it into or out of your house.
- Ground-source heat pumps - Extract heat from the ground and move it into your home to provide heat. To cool, they extract heat from the air inside your home and transfer it into the ground.
Air-source and ground-source heat pumps are both great options for energy efficient, all-electric central heating and air conditioning. Ground-source heat pumps can be more efficient, especially in cold climates, but they are also more difficult and expensive to install. The moderate, California climate is ideal for air-source heat pumps, making them the best option for most homeowners.
How to Find a Heat Pump Installer in California
The contractor you choose to install your heat pump can make a big difference in its performance and longevity. Just because an HVAC company says they can install heat pumps does not mean they have the experience or expertise to do it properly. As heat pumps gain popularity, low-quality installers are popping up all over the place, and it’s more important than ever to carefully evaluate the contractor you hire.
Don’t have the time to sift through endless reviews? The Clean Energy Connection makes it easy to find a reputable heat pump installer near you in California. Our free, online directory features the best clean energy contractors in the state. Our contractors undergo a strict vetting process that includes regular license checks and customer satisfaction surveys to ensure the highest quality service.