Heat Pumps
Heating and Cooling your home with a (air source) heat pump (also called a mini split)
What is an air source heat pump? A great summary on the Rewiring America website.
(There are other heat pumps that get their heat from the air and bring it to water = an air to water heat pump. Another is a heat pump that gets its heat from the ground = a ground source heat pump. )
Click here for a great list of reasons why you should use heat pumps.
Do heat pumps work in the winter to heat when temps get really low?
Yes, read this blog post by Laminar Collective* where every single model that they reviewed is a cold climate model that retains the vast majority of its heating output at 5°F.
How do heat pumps work in the heat of summer to cool?
Laminar Collective’s* answer in video or blog
How much does it cost to run heat pumps?
Laminar Collective* answer based on the 2024 - 2025 season
National Grid Electric discount for heating with HEAT PUMPS
Starting November 1, 2025, a new reduced electric delivery rate will be available for qualified residential customers who use heat pumps for home heating. This seasonal rate applies to electricity usage from November 1 through April 30, helping reduce energy costs during colder months. Customers on the R-2 income-eligible rate are also eligible.
Please see the National Grid website for more details!
How to install heat pumps in my house? (Ducted or not ducted is the question….)
Again, Laminar Collective* has some great resources:
How to vet a heat pump contractor?
Tips here from Laminar Collective.
Make sure they intend to do this as part of the work.
How to decide about a heat pump?
Pros and cons for heat pumps.
Things to ask/think about for heating/cooling system upgrade
This would be best to ask the salesperson that is giving quotes for the equipment upgrades. It never hurts to also ask your energy specialist who is doing the no-cost assessment for an unbiased opinion.
Is a heat pump going to save me money on heating and/or cooling?
Can a heat pump be installed to work with my existing fossil fuel system?
Can heat pumps utilize my existing ductwork?
What are the benefits of doing a heat pump only solution vs a dual fuel integrated heat pump/fossil fuel solution?
What is the warranty of the new system?
Will this upgrade require me to upgrade my electric panel?
What are the state/federal incentives for this project?
How to pay for heat pumps?
Rebates as well as an opportunity to apply for 0% financing from Mass Save
Get a no-cost assessment from Homeworks* to begin!
If you have questions or need help
fill out our google form and we will get back to you.
Come see us in the community to ask questions. See our “Office Hours” calendar for where we will be.
*The City of Beverly chose Homeworks as their preferred Home Performance Contractor. Green Beverly has a close working relationship with Homeworks so we may be able to be helpful during the process - but you can use any Home Performance Contractor (they do the assessment and the work.)
Bonus: Who is Laminar Collective?
3 friends from Cambridge, MA named Kit, Christin, and Hannan running a bulk buy of heat pumps with a ton of research to boot! With more than $1M+ worth of volume per deal, they are able to negotiate heat pump installation rates with contractors at up to a 20% discount from the market average.
Note: Green Beverly can't guarantee future savings