We added a ductless heat pump to our home a few years ago. It was much easier than we thought it would be. For homes with a duct system already in place, it’s even easier.

We added our heat pump because our home had no air conditioning, which is typical in British Columbia for homes built more than 10 years ago, but our summers were becoming too hot to sustain that. We started by adding a vented skylight, which was ample at first. But the heat kept on increasing, along with the wildfire smoke that seems to be our new summertime norm. We wanted to close all the doors and windows (and skylights), blast our air purifiers, and be comfortable indoors. We also didn’t want traditional AC, because they’re part of the climate change problem.

So we researched heat pumps and had one installed.

So far, we’re thrilled with its ability to cool our house in summer (which we never had before) and with the evenness of the warmth through the house in the winter (much better than the baseboard heating we had before). But while it’s much better for our household comfort, I was curious about if it’s actually better for the environment like it’s touted to be.

Our research makes us believe that yes, heat pumps are a sustainable step.

Here’s why:

How Heat Pumps Work

Heat pumps transfer heat from one place to another rather than generating heat through combustion. In the winter, they extract heat from the outside air (or ground) and transfer it inside. In the summer, they reverse the process, removing heat from the indoor air and releasing it outside.

Benefits of Heat Pumps

1. Energy Efficiency:
   • Heat pumps move heat rather than generate it. For every unit of electricity they use, they give off several units of heat energy, often achieving efficiencies of 300% to 400% (i.e., they can create 3 to 4 times more energy than they use).
2. Reduced Carbon Emissions:
   • Because they use less energy to generate the same amount of heat, they have a lower carbon footprint than traditional heating systems.
3. Versatility:
   • Heat pumps both heat and cool your home.
4. Lower Operating Costs:
   • Heat pumps have lower operating costs than conventional heating and cooling systems. While we use climate control year-round now (as opposed to only in the winter), we’re paying way less in our overall electricity bill.
5. Minimal Maintenance:
   • Heat pumps need less maintenance than other heating systems. We’ve had our system for two and a half years, and the only maintenance it’s needed has been an annual cleaning of its filters (which my husband does).

Considerations for Sustainability

1. Electricity Source:
   • If your electricity comes from renewable sources (like wind, solar, or hydro), the overall environmental impact is greatly reduced. We’re lucky where we live — our province uses a high percentage of renewable energy.
2. Climate Suitability:
   • While heat pumps work well in most climates, their efficiency can decrease in colder regions.
3. Installation and Materials:
   • We should also consider the environmental impact of manufacturing and installing a heat pump. This is something we didn’t research before buying — but next time, we’ll be even savvier shoppers and dig deeper into brand research first.

Conclusion

Overall, heat pumps save money and lower emissions. We think they’re a sustainable step.