Homeowner Heat Pump FAQs

Yes. Properly sized, selected, and located heat pumps can heat a home, without backup, down to temperatures as low as -22°F regardless of windchill. Click here to read how heat pumps did as the sole heating source during the cold snap of 2023.

In our rebate program for residential heat pumps, the heating capacity of both single-zone and multi-zone heat pumps can be counted in the sizing, but the cost of multi-zone heat pumps is not rebatable. The advantages of single-zone systems include: lower operating costs, better comfort (dehumidification, ability to run different modes simultaneously, and only heat the rooms that need it), and backup (other heat pumps will continue to operate if one needs service).

Electricity bills increase when you switch to heat pumps — sometimes significantly — but heating with heat pumps is usually less expensive than heating with oil, kerosene, or propane, so the bottom line is that heat pumps typically save money. To see how your costs might be affected, please visit our Compare Home Heating Costs calculator.

No. Heating with heat pumps is less expensive than heating with oil above -1°F or heating with propane above -11°F. However, these temperatures are rare and switching to oil or propane below these temperatures and then failing to switch back to heat pumps when temperatures rise above these points could end up costing more.

Assumptions: Oil at $3.86/gal, 87% combustion efficiency, and 80% distribution efficiency. Propane at $3.43/gal, 90% AFUE, and 80% distribution efficiency. Electricity at 22 cents/kwh, heat pump COP=2.93, and 100% distribution efficiency. 80MMbtu/yr heating load.

The intention of our residential heat pump rebate program is to encourage homeowners to use heat pumps whenever possible. There may be occasions, however, when it makes sense to turn your furnace or boiler back on (e.g., when the power is out and the generator is big enough for the boiler or furnace but not the heat pumps, or when a heat pump is being serviced).

Heat pumps use electricity so their impact depends on where the electricity comes from. If you’re using 100% renewable electricity, there would be no emissions. Maine’s electric grid is among the cleanest in the country so if you switched from oil to heat pumps powered by Maine’s grid, you’d cut your carbon footprint by roughly two thirds.

In general, rebate-eligible units are capable of producing heat at colder temperatures and are more energy efficient.

Yes. Here’s a partial list of companies that have offered such policies:

1. Allstate Vehicle and Property
2. Amica Mutual Insurance Company
3. State Farm Fire and Casualty
4. Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company
5. Foremost Insurance
6. American Modern Insurance
7. Aegis Insurance

Before replacing your existing heating system, contact your insurance agent or homeowners’ insurance company. Insurers will want to make certain that the new heating system provides sufficient heat for the entire home.

If you’re aware of other companies, please email us.

1. Refrigerants have no global warming potential unless they leak and they rarely leak from heat pumps, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners.
2. One pound of leaked refrigerant has the same global warming potential as burning approximately 100 gallons of oil.
3. Heat pumps typically contain 2 – 5 pounds of refrigerant, so releasing 100% would have half the global warming potential of running a typical oil boiler for a heating season.

Even if a heat pump leaked all of its refrigerant, it would have less global warming potential than running an oil or gas boiler or furnace for a year.

1. Heat pumps cool for half the cost of window air conditioners.
2. Heat pumps also provide heat.
3. Heat pumps can be installed anywhere in the home.
4. Heat pumps don’t need to be installed, removed, or stored seasonally.
5. Heat pumps don’t interfere with a window’s ability to close (gaps, pests, security).
6. Heat pumps don’t obstruct view through windows.