It takes a lot of energy to keep our homes comfortable with heating and air conditioning. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 65% of total residential energy usage goes toward heating and cooling!
Because it consumes so much energy, upgrading your HVAC system is one of the most effective ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your energy costs.
Neeeco specializes in energy efficiency improvements for Massachusetts homes. In this guide, we’ll cover the most efficient home HVAC systems in 2024.
Air-Source Heat Pumps
Air-source heat pumps are one of the most energy efficient HVAC systems available in 2024. They provide both heating and air conditioning in one system, making them a great option for year-round climate control.
Heat pumps run entirely on electricity, which means they can be powered by clean energy sources like solar or wind. They work by moving or “pumping” heat from one location to another. When placed in heating mode, a heat pump will capture heat from the air outside and bring it into your home. In cooling mode, it absorbs heat from inside your home and transfers it to the air outside. This is the exact same process an air conditioner uses. In fact, an air conditioner is a type of heat pump. Heat pump technology is extremely efficient for both heating and cooling and can help reduce your home’s energy consumption year-round.
There are two types of air-source heat pump HVAC systems:
Ducted Heat Pumps
A ducted heat pump connects to your home’s ductwork and delivers heated or cooled air through supply vents that are positioned throughout your home.
Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps
Ductless mini splits are a type of air-source heat pump that does not need to be connected to ductwork. Instead, the indoor units (often called heads) are installed on exterior walls and connected to the outdoor unit via a narrow conduit.
In a ducted HVAC system, 20-30% of the air that moves through the ducts is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts, which drives up energy costs considerably. Ductless mini splits are not susceptible to this waste, making them one of the best energy efficient heating and cooling systems available.
How to Choose the Best High-Efficiency HVAC System
Whether you’re looking for the most efficient home cooling or heating system, a heat pump is the best choice. But heat pumps come in many makes and models, so how do you know which is the most efficient? There are a few things you can look out for when evaluating heat pump efficiency:
- Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) – HSPF measures how efficiently a heat pump can heat your home. The higher the HSPF, the more efficient the heating system.
- Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) – SEER measures how efficiently a heat pump can cool your home. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the cooling system.
- ENERGY STAR Rating – ENERGY STAR is an energy efficiency rating system backed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ENERGY STAR-rated heat pumps boast high efficiency scores.
Ratings like these provide a good indication of how energy efficient an HVAC system is, but they are not the only factor to consider when choosing the best energy efficient HVAC system for your home. Other factors like the size of your home, the number of occupants, and the local climate have an impact. An experienced heat pump installer like Neeeco will be able to recommend the best option for your home or apartment.
Mass Save® Heating & Cooling Rebates
The Sponsors of Mass Save offer generous rebates for heating and air conditioning system installation in Massachusetts. With Mass Save heat pump rebates, you can save up to $16,000 on air-source heat pump and mini split heat pump installation.* If you’re looking for an energy and cost-efficient HVAC system, you don’t want to miss out on these savings.
To be eligible for Mass Save HVAC rebates, you must schedule a no-cost Home Energy Assessment and complete the recommended weatherization upgrades. Neeeco is a Mass Save partner, and we serve residents throughout the state. Schedule your Home Energy Assessment with our team today!
*Some restrictions apply. Offers are subject to change or cancellation. Visit MassSave.com/HEA for full details.