Are you thinking about making the switch to a heat pump? Before you do there's a few things you need to know. Heat pumps are an incredible technology. They're efficient, they're quiet, and they can save you money on your energy bills. But they work differently than the furnace you're used to. With a traditional furnace you could set the thermostat way back at night. You might run it at 72 during the day and take it down as low as 65 at bedtime. A large setback worked fine with a furnace but with a heat pump that strategy actually costs you more. Think of your old furnace like a one-ton pickup with a big V8 engine. You can crank out a lot of heat really fast but it's not efficient. A heat pump is more like a modern four cylinder at cruise control. It doesn't blast heat, it maintains a steady comfortable temperature using way less energy. It's what we call the thermal flywheel effect. Once your home is at temperature it takes very little energy to keep it there because your walls and your floors and your countertops they're all holding the heat. So the best way to run a heat pump? Set it and forget it! Pick a comfortable temperature, say 70, and leave it there all day, all night, even when you're not home. Now if you grew up during the energy crisis I know this sounds crazy. Leaving the heat on 24/7? But according to energy experts with a heat pump that is the most efficient way to run it. Here's the other thing, the air coming out of your vents won't feel as hot as it did with your old furnace. A furnace might blow a 120 degree air or more. A heat pump, usually between 100 and 110. Some folks call us after their first cold week thinking something's wrong but it's not. It's working exactly as designed. You're getting a gentle, constant stream of warm air instead of those dramatic bursts of high heat. Now there's a catch... Heat pumps work best in energy efficient homes. If your house has leaky ducts, old windows, or barely any insulation, well you're asking a heat pump to do more than it's designed for. Think of it this way... If your house is like a 1950s Airstream trailer your old furnace was the oversized truck pulling it. Your new heat pump? That's a compact car and a compact car well, won't pull an Airstream. So before we install a heat pump we might be recommending air sealing, insulation upgrades, or duct sealing. Not to upsell you but to make sure your home is ready for the technology. The good news? With energy smart financing the monthly payments could be completely offset by your energy savings. You couple this with amazing local utility rebates and these upgrades can literally pay for themselves. The bottom line is, heat pumps are an amazing investment but only if you know what to expect and your home is ready. Now if you're considering making the switch talk to one of our home performance experts and we'll help you do it right.