What Is It And How Does It Work?
Air source heat pumps (ASHP)--often known as “mini-splits”--are electric appliances that provide heating and cooling by moving heat into a building (for heating) or out of a building (for cooling).
Today’s cold climate air source heat pumps can extract energy/heat from the air all the way down to -13°F. In the summer, the process is reversed, and heat is absorbed from the cooler indoor air and moved to the warmer outdoor air. With both ductless and centrally-ducted models, their versatility makes them a popular choice.
As clean heating and cooling technologies, heat pumps can help you save on your energy bill and improve the comfort of your home, all while reducing your greenhouse gas emissions.

What Are The Benefits?

Lower Your
Energy Bill
Almost 75% of energy used in a typical New York home is for heating and cooling. Heat pumps can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars a year on your heating bill.

Reclaim Your Windows, No Ducts Required!
HeatSmart geothermal installers offer monitoring systems enabling them to receive alerts, proactively diagnose errors, and perform maintenance remotely; only needing to come out to your home when hands-on maintenance is required.

Improved Comfort, Safety & Health
Heat pumps filter and dehumidify air, which can improve the air quality and comfort of your home. In particular, the filtration provided by heat pump systems can significantly reduce allergens in your home, benefiting sensitive individuals. Eliminating or reducing the combustion of fossil fuels in your home improves home safety as well

Lower Your Carbon Footprint
Converting from systems that burn fossil fuels to electric powered air source heat pumps will help reduce your carbon footprint and dependence on imported fossil fuels Using solar PV or other renewable electricity sources can further offset emissions from the electricity powering your heat pump.

Flexible Options for Each Unique Home
Air source heat pumps can be installed in applications ranging from central solutions to providing heating and cooling to individual rooms.

More Benefits and Information
You can find more benefits and information from HeatSmart installers and other trusted sources in the HeatSmart Blog. Use the "News & Events" link in the top navigation bar to find all the latest information.
What Will The Equipment Look Like In My Home
Ductless
Ductless air source heat pumps can be installed as a primary source of heating and cooling or installed to heat and cool specific rooms. This could include, for example, installing ductless units in the most frequently used rooms like family rooms or master bedrooms to displace heating or cooling from your existing system, or placing ductless units in rooms or new additions that never seem to be warm or cool enough.
Ducted
Ducted air source heat pumps have an outdoor unit that is connected to a building's ductwork, which is used to distribute heating or air conditioning throughout the home. Ducted (also known as central or unitary) use your home’s existing ductwork, though not all ductwork is sized adequately for heat pumps. A HeatSmart partner installer can tell you if your ductwork is sized adequately and what modifications may be necessary during a free site visit.
Rebates
Air Source Heat Pump Questions
Is an air source heat pump right for me?
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Do you heat with oil, propane or electric resistance? -
Do you want central air conditioning but don’t have/don’t want to install ductwork? -
Do you have persistent hot or cold spots in your home? -
Do you want more control over the temperature in individual rooms in your home? -
Are you sensitive to air pollutants and allergens? -
Do you want to reduce your carbon footprint?
Which HeatSmart installers offer air source systems?
How efficient are air source heat pumps?
Why should I consider a cold climate air source heat pump?
How do the annual maintenance costs of an air source heat pump compare to other heating systems?
Annual system maintenance, which consists of cleaning air filters and an annual maintenance checkup for the outside unit, costs about the same as annual servicing charges for a boiler or furnace
How long do air source heat pumps last?
Heat pumps have an expected lifetime of about 15 years—similar to the average furnace or central AC system.
How noisy are air source heat pumps?
A ductless indoor unit is quieter when running than a refrigerator and much quieter than a typical window AC unit. High-efficiency, variable-speed ducted heat pumps are quieter than a typical furnace or central air conditioner.
Can air source heat pumps provide hot water?
There are water heaters that use heat pump technology (heat pump water heaters or HPWH) though they are installed as a separate system. The HeatSmart installer partners can tell you more about your home's fit for a HPWH.
How complicated is installing a heat pump and how much time will it take?
A heat pump installation is typically a straightforward process with minimal disruption to your home. A simple, single-zone ductless heat pump system can be completed in less than a day and only requires a single 2-3 inch hole to be cut (and later, sealed) in your wall.
If you are installing a “multi-zone” ductless system or a ducted system that requires modifications to your ductwork, your installation may take a few days to complete. Additionally, if your system needs extra time to minimize aesthetic impacts, it may take more time to run piping through walls.
How can I maximize energy savings from my heat pump?
Keep your system well maintained. A well-maintained system will keep performing at high efficiency. Remember to clean your indoor dust filters; keep the outdoor condenser free of snow, ice, and other obstructions; and consider getting regular annual service.
How well do heat pumps work in the middle of winter?
Additionally, you will want to keep the outdoor unit of your heat pump system clear of snow to make sure it has sufficient airflow--just like you need to keep your furnace vents clear to prevent carbon monoxide build-up.
How do I go about selecting an air source heat pump installer?
All 3 HeatSmart NY air source heat pump installers have extensive experience with air source heat pump installations. Qualified installers were competitively selected for HeatSmart by a volunteer selection committee with support from home energy experts. You are welcome to ask for more than one no-obligation quote.
Will I need an electrical service upgrade?
Why are air source heat pumps considered “clean heating and cooling” technologies?
Air source heat pumps are considered to be “clean” heating and cooling systems because they do not create heat, but rather they move heat from the ambient air from one place to another. This process is powered by electricity, which can also be sourced from renewable sources like solar, wind, or hydro. You can increase your use of clean energy by participating in solar subscription services or Community Choice Aggregation.
Even though our grid is only about 12% renewable today, a heat pump system powered by grid electricity will still reduce your greenhouse gas emissions from heating by 40-60%! These emissions will continue to decrease from year to year as our grid becomes greener, whereas the emissions from fossil fuels will stay the same.