Convert to an Eco-Friendly Heat Pump in Saint Charles

Convert to an Eco-Friendly Heat Pump in Saint Charles

Oil and propane furnaces might keep you warm, but they're older and prone to problems. First, the prices of these fuel types fluctuate wildly depending on demand and other factors. Second, reliance on fossil fuels has been targeted for reduction due to ecological concerns. Fortunately—no matter what part of Saint Charles or Batavia you call home—there’s an HVAC option that comes almost free of drawbacks: electric heat pumps.

If you’re ready to make the switch, or just want to replace your old heat pump, we invite you to reach out to us at (630) 200-5399. Our HVAC experts are here and ready to assist in not only with removing your old system, but also repairing or servicing your existing heat pump as well.

Contact us for more information on Saint Charles heat pump installation or replacement in Saint Charles.

How Heat Pumps Heat and Cool Homes in Saint Charles

How Heat Pumps Heat and Cool Homes in Saint Charles

It can help to think of a heat pump as an AC unit that can run in reverse. When Saint Charles gets hot, your thermostat will tell the heat pump to turn on. This will power up the compressor and start the refrigerant cycling. Or, in the case of geothermal systems, it'll trigger a process deep underground. This liquid pulls the warmth from your home’s air, cooling it. This—if you know anything about air conditioning—might sound pretty familiar. It’s what electric heat pumps do when the mercury dips that really sets them apart.

During the cooler parts of the year, the heat pump will operate in reverse. Instead of pushing the warmth outside, it extracts it from the air outside. This warmth is then pumped inside your home. A separate blower—or your existing furnace—then pushes the air throughout your home. This flexibility makes them a great option for anyone in after improved efficiency in Saint Charles. Even if you are just replacing an existing heat pump, you're still likely to see some comfort improvement.

Why You Might Want to Swap that Old Furnace for a Heat Pump in Saint Charles

Why You Might Want to Swap that Old Furnace for a Heat Pump in Saint Charles

Swapping a traditional HVAC system for a heat pump isn’t cheap, especially if you need ductwork service or a blower installed. If only looking at cost, you might be deterred. But, if you take the time to compare furnaces to heat pumps, you'll find the latter has many attractive advantages.

The pros of heat pump installation in Saint Charles and Batavia include:

  • More Consistent Heating: Unlike traditional heating systems, heat pumps don’t constantly shut on and off. Instead, they continuously cycle air throughout your home.
  • Room-by-Room Control: Heat pumps make zoning your home’s HVAC easy. Need to heat the attic and lay off on the living room? This is an option with heat pumps.
  • No More Burning Smells: When you kick on your heater or furnace for the first time each season, you likely detect the scent of burning dust. With heat pumps, there’s no fire or soot. That means no burning and no smoky odors.
  • Eco-Friendliness: When it comes to emissions, heat pumps are one of the top performing HVAC systems. So, if going green is on your agenda, get a quote on heat pump conversion in Saint Charles.
  • Space Savings: Heat pumps can both heat and cool, eliminating the need for a bulky indoor system. This gives you back closet or basement space.
  • Wide Compatibility: Live in a mansion? A small house? Have no ducts? With heat pumps, none of these things are a problem. Their versatility allows for almost limitless configuration options.
  • Lowered Energy Bills: Electric heat pumps offer huge savings when compared to traditional forced air systems. If you want to know how much it’ll save you on heating or cooling bills in Saint Charles, give TDH Mechanical, Inc. a call.

That is not to say that the electric heat pumps are perfect. They also come with drawbacks. First, they need a secondary blower in order to distribute air effectively. Second, as temperatures drop below freezing, heat pumps lose much of their efficiency, drawing higher amounts of electricity. Lastly, because they run year-round, heat pumps have a slightly shorter lifespan than heating and AC units. But, when compared dollar-for-dollar, these dual systems offer the ultimate in HVAC convenience and return on investment.

Let Us Help You Take Advantage of Heat Pump Rebates in Saint Charles

Take Advantage of Heat Pump Rebates in Saint Charles

With the government pushing for better environmental choices, a number of rebates are available for residents looking to switch to an electric heat pump. At TDH Mechanical, we stay up to date on current discounts and offers. This allows us to provide our customers in Saint Charles and Batavia with the most bang for their buck. But we don’t just pass knowledge on to you, we help you apply it as well.

So, if you want to save thousands on your heat pump conversion in Saint Charles, reach out to the HVAC experts at (630) 200-5399. We'll work with you through every step of the application process.

Call us to learn ways you can save on Saint Charles heat pump conversion.

Heat Pump Myth Busting

Heat Pump Myth Busting

If you’ve relied on a fossil fuel heating system for a while, you might be concerned about switching to newer heat pump technology. You may also have heard some negative things. Here, we’ll debunk the top four myths about converting from a fossil fuel furnace to an electric heat pump.

Myth #1: Heat pumps don’t work on frigid days.

In the 1980s, heat pumps struggled to deal with temperatures below freezing. But, since then, improvements allow these systems to easily handle temperatures as low as -13°F (-25°C). It should be noted, though, that they lose efficiency as the temperature dips towards that number.

Myth #2: You need a furnace backup.

While some homeowners prefer to install a secondary heating system like a furnace or heater it’s not a requirement. Cold climate heat pumps are masters of finding heat where there seems to be none. Though, in some circumstances, we may advise keeping your current furnace. The only way to know for sure, is to contact us for a free quote on heat pump conversion in Batavia or Saint Charles.

Myth #3: Fossil fuels are cheaper than electric heating.

If you use the right technology, this one is false. This myth got started because electric furnaces can be costlier than gas ones. But that’s because furnaces aren’t the most effective electric heating system—heat pumps are! Since these systems only move heat from one spot to another, they don’t need to stress themselves as much. This leads to lower HVAC costs in the Saint Charles area.

Myth #4: Heat pumps are too expensive

Heat pumps may cost more than a new AC unit or furnace, but that makes sense since these appliances take care of both. So, before you balk at the cost, make sure that you’re making a fair comparison.

Now that you know the truth of these HVAC myths, we invite you to reach out to us at (630) 200-5399 to look into a heat pump conversion in the Saint Charles area.

Your Heat Pump Conversion Options

Signs It's Time to Replace Your Heat Pump

Do you already use a heat pump to maintain temperature in an addition or garage? Did you replace that clunky old furnace ages ago? Well, it might be time to upgrade it. Below are x signs it's time to replace your heat pump in Elgin or Batavia:

It's Old

Since they have to pull double duty, heat pumps don't last as long as furnaces or air conditioners. If yours needs repair and is more than 10 years old, it's time to consider new heat pump installation in Saint Charles

Sudden Energy Spikes

If you've noticed a huge uptick in your heating or cooling bills, then your old heat pump might be to blame. As these systems age, they begin to struggle to maintain temperature. While regular maintenance can keep your heat pump stumbling along, there comes a time when replacement is the better option.

Uneven Distribution

Are you suddenly dealing with hot and cold spots? Is your heat pump not responding to changes as quickly as it used to? This is a very common in failing heat pumps and is an indicator of upcoming system replacement.

Frequent Heat Pump Repairs

Are you calling an HVAC company two to three times a summer? Then, it's time to consider system replacement. As heat pumps wear out, parts tend to fail in sequence. To get off the discomfort treadmill, give (630) 200-5399 a call to get an estimate on Saint Charles heat pump replacement.

Unfortunately, these symptoms can also be a sign of a system that needs maintenance or repair. The only way to know for sure is to pick up your phone and dialing (630) 200-5399.

Consider Going with a Dual Fuel System

Your Heat Pump Conversion Options

If you're looking to go from a fossil fuel furnace to a heat pump, there are a number of different routes. These heat pump conversion options in Saint Charles include:

Oil Furnace to Heat Pump

Right now, you’re tied to an oil delivery service. A portion of your yard or basement is also likely taken up by a large oil tank. By converting from an oil furnace to a heat pump—or mixing the two with a dual fuel system—you can make heating your home much more efficient. For a free quote on heat pump installation in Elgin or Saint Charles, give us a call at (630) 406-9082.

Gas Furnace to Heat Pump

Though natural gas is the least expensive of the three options, heat pump efficiency outstrips it by about 40 percent. The access to cooling service—which your gas furnace might not have—is another reason to consider making the switch. If you reach out to us by phone or through our site, we’ll be happy to discuss details and outline exactly how much you Saint Charles heat pump conversion could save you.

Propane Furnace to Heat Pump

Though deliveries are less frequent for propane than oil, you still need regular drop-offs to stay comfortable. An ugly tank or “pig”, though far smaller than the one seen in oil furnaces, is cluttering your yard. When you couple these things with the lower costs of an electric heat pump, you can see why people choose to convert. To get a quote on making the switch, reach out to us by phone or form.

Already have a heat pump and want to get an upgrade? Then, it might be worth exploring things like groundwater, dual-fuel, and ductless options.

We Make Converting from Gas or Oil Furnaces to Heat Pumps in Saint Charles Easy

Consider Going with a Dual Fuel System

The costs of completely swapping fuel sources can be prohibitive. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way to save while still protecting the environment and being more efficient? That’s where dual fuel heat pumps come into play. By alternating between your existing fuel source and the heat pump, they maximize your comfort.

The benefits of dual fuel heat pump installation are four-fold:

  1. Environmental Improvements: By leaving your furnace dormant until the temperature becomes downright frigid, heat pumps minimize pollution. Installing a heat pump is a great way to go green.
  2. Cost Savings: If you keep your typical furnace, you’ll be tied to the current price of oil or natural gas. This can lead to drastic increases during supply constraints. Having a back-up heat pump can free you from that dependence.
  3. Cold-Weather Reliability: Though heat pumps can now operate in low temperatures, there are times when a furnace will do the job better. Dual fuel systems can switch between the two pieces of equipment as needed.
  4. Extended Equipment Lifespan: The split heating responsibility allows your heat pump and furnace to last longer than if they were operating on their own. This gives you more time to save up for a replacement and less time fretting over comfort.

Enjoy the best of all HVAC worlds with a dual fuel system installation from TDH Mechanical! Give us a call today to get a no-obligation quote on heat pump installation in Saint Charles.