In the simplest sense, a heat pump is just what it sounds like – it’s a system that pumps (or moves) heat, allowing it to both heat and cool your home. In the summer, the heat pump moves the hot air from your home to the outside. In the winter, it extracts heat from the surrounding environment (even if it’s cold outside!) and moves it inside your home. Since heat pumps transfer heat rather than producing it, they are more efficient and use less energy than traditional heating and cooling systems. Heat pumps use the same technology that is present in air conditioners and your refrigerator.

Air source heat pumps move heat between your home and the outside air. Because of their lower upfront costs and ease of installation, they are the most common heat pumps. Ground source (or geothermal) heat pumps move heat between your home and pipes buried in the ground in a loop system. Because underground temperature is more constant than air temperature, ground source heat pumps are the most energy efficient but can be more expensive and complicated to install. They are most suitable for new construction or properties with large lot sizes. 

There are many options and styles of heat pumps, including ducted and ductless. If your home has central ductwork, you can take advantage of ducted heat pumps to deliver your home’s heating and cooling. Ductless mini-split heat pumps use indoor units for delivering conditioned air with no ductwork needed. Ductless mini-splits can also be helpful additions to rooms requiring additional conditioning of air without adding ductwork.  

Consider going through this decision guide with your contractor!

• All-electric heat pumps run entirely on electricity. Cold Climate heat pumps (ccHPs) are an all-electric option designed to keep homes comfortable in very cold weather. They work quietly and can deliver dehumidification.
• Dual-fuel systems are heat pumps that are paired with a supplemental fossil fuel furnace and are programmed to turn on when the outdoor temperature reaches a certain level (known as the switchover temperature). Heat pump-trained contractors can help customers choose a preferred switchover temperature.

A heat pump delivers more consistent heating and cooling to your home by running for longer stretches at slightly lower temperatures. With longer run times, a heat pump mixes conditioned air more efficiently than traditional heat fuel sources, so you have fewer hot or cold spots in your home, and spends its time warming your walls, ceiling, floor and furniture, so your surroundings help to keep you warm. You can also add ductless mini-split heat pumps to areas of your home that are consistently difficult to heat or cool or to more efficiently heat or cool specific areas.

Heat pumps can be up to four times more efficient* than standard heating or cooling equipment, which means you could save money on your energy bill. Depending on your existing heating fuel, the type of heat pump system you install and the settings you choose, you may experience increased heating costs in the winter, but they may be offset by lower heating and cooling costs during the rest of the year. See the  Savings Calculator to get an idea of how a heat pump might work for you and talk to your contractor about auxiliary heat lockouts and switchover temperatures.

Residential customers who install an all-electric heat pump may qualify for ComEd’s electric space heating rate, which will help lower the cost for your entire electricity consumption, not just heating and cooling. To find out more and to see if you qualify, call 1-800-EDISON1.

ComEd customers can also save money on upfront costs with rebates, discounts, bill assistance, financing options and federal tax credits.

*Source: RMI, “Now Is the Time to Go All In on Heat Pumps“

Some heat pump models are specifically engineered for extreme cold, known as cold climate heat pumps (ccHP). A ccHP can deliver energy savings while maintaining comfort and may be the best option for homes in Northern Illinois. A ccHP is the most resilient in extreme temperatures and can eliminate or reduce the need for a supplemental heat source.

Heat pumps can be an important way to reduce your home’s carbon footprint. You can greatly reduce the amount of energy you use to keep your home comfortable, which helps make our homes and our environment cleaner and more sustainable.

See the Savings Calculator to get an idea of how a heat pump might help you reduce your carbon footprint.

Yes. ComEd customers can also access electric space heating rates, rebates, discounts, bill assistance, financing and federal tax credits that should be taken into consideration as you make your decision. Our Incentives and Financing page includes information about ComEd rebates and discounts, federal tax credits, financing options and income eligible solutions.

Regular maintenance on heat pumps typically includes:

• Cleaning the air filters: Check your air filters and replace or clean them as needed, according to your owner’s manual. For ductless mini-split heat pumps, clean the filters at least quarterly, or as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Removing debris around the outdoor unit: Help prolong the life of your outdoor unit by regularly clearing away debris such as snow, ice and leaves.
• Cleaning the coils: Follow instructions in your owner’s manual to keep the coils clean.

Be sure to follow all maintenance recommendations from the manufacturer to improve your heat pump’s performance and prolong its life.

Yes. ComEd maintains a network of heat pump-trained contractors to support customers. These contractors, who receive heat pump-specific training from ComEd and have access to ComEd trainings and resources, can support customers in the selection, installation, operation and maintenance of their heat pump system, including providing information about cost considerations. See our Contractors Lookup page to access our directory of heat pump-trained contractors.  

In addition, we recommend customers be prepared to ask contractors important questions. See our Questions To Ask Heat Pump Installers resources.