What is Clean Heating and Cooling?
Clean heating and cooling technology is transforming the environmental impact of a home or business by moving beyond traditional fossil fuels like oil, propane, and natural gas. Advanced solutions such as heat pumps and heat pump water heaters utilize electricity to operate, which includes clean, renewable energy sources, and deliver superior performance and environmental benefits, setting a new standard at home or in the workplace..
Why Choose Clean Technology?
- Environmental Impact: Clean technologies significantly reduce your reliance on fossil fuels. By adopting clean energy solutions, you’re helping to lower your carbon footprint and support a more sustainable future.
- Energy Efficiency: Engineered for optimal performance, heat pumps and heat pump water heaters operate with high efficiency, converting a smaller amount of energy into substantial heating or cooling power. This efficiency leads to lower overall energy costs and increased comfort at home.*
- Cost Savings: While the initial investment in clean technology may be higher, the long-term savings compared to fossil fuels are substantial. Reduced overall energy costs and minimal maintenance contribute to considerable financial benefits over time.*
Opting for clean technology not only enhances your home or business' efficiency and and comfort but also plays a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change.
To support your transition to energy-efficient systems, the Sponsors of Energize Connecticut offer rebates and incentives, and federal incentives through the Inflation Reduction Act are also available. The federal incentives include tax credits, rebates and grants designed to offset the cost of installation and equipment. By leveraging these incentives, you can make clean technology more affordable and advance your return on investment.
* A heat pump is an electrical system, so, unless you currently have electric resistance heating, it will add to your electricity usage. In many cases, that additional electric use is offset by savings elsewhere, such as a propane or oil heating fuel bill. You may decide that increased comfort is worth an additional energy cost. Adding a heat pump where there was no cooling source before will increase your electric use in the cooling season.
Let's Explore Clean Heating and Cooling Technology
If you are looking for a convenient way to heat and cool your home or business, consider a heat pump. Heat pumps efficiently provide steady and consistent heating in the winter and cooling in the summer, while removing moisture from the air. This enhances your comfort all while lowering greenhouse gas emissions. They are environmentally friendly and can last longer than traditional heating and cooling systems.
Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP)
How air source heat pumps work:
Air source heat pumps pull heat from the outside air and distribute it inside during winter. In summer, this process reverses to provide cooling. They come in ducted and ductless options:
- Ducted systems: Ideal for homes or businesses with existing ducts or plans to install them
- Ductless systems (mini splits): Suitable for homes or businesses without ductwork and can be mounted on walls, floors or ceilings
| Resources: | Available Rebates and Incentives: | |
| ASHP Guide | Energize CT Residential Incentive | |
| ASHP Checklist | Energize CT Business Incentive | |
| IRA Tax Credit | ||
| Case Studies: | Financing: | |
| The Four Seasons of Colchester | Residential Loans | |
| Concord Meadows | Smart-E Loan | |
| Albrycth Family | Energize CT Heating Loan | |
| Business Loans | ||
| C-PACE | ||
| Small Business & Municipal Loan Program |
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP)
How ground source heat pumps work:
Ground source (geothermal) heat pumps utilize the earth's stable temperature to efficiently heat and cool your home or business. In cold weather, they extract heat from the ground and distribute it indoors, while in warmer months, they reverse the process to provide cooling. As the most efficient type of heat pump, geothermal systems can cut heating and cooling costs by up to 50 percent compared to conventional fossil fuel systems. They are ideal for properties with adequate outdoor space to install the system.
| Resources: | Available Rebates and Incentives: | |
| GSHP Guide | Energize CT Residential Incentive | |
| Energize CT Business Incentive | ||
| IRA Tax Credit | ||
| Case Studies: | Financing: | |
| Holton Family | Residential Loans | |
| Spence Family | Smart-E Loan | |
| Energize CT Heating Loan | ||
| Business Loans | ||
| C-PACE | ||
| National Energy Improvement Fund |
Let's Explore Clean Water Heating Technology
Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH)
Water heating is the second largest energy using system in most homes. Heat pump water heaters are an efficient alternative, using 70 percent less electricity than a standard electric water heater, which can lower your energy use. With a heat pump water heater, you get reliable hot water when you need it for less.
| Resources: | Available Rebates and Incentives: | |
| HPWH Guide | Energize CT Incentive | |
| Clean Energy Tax Credit | ||
| Case Studies: | Financing: | |
| Susan Weretelnik | Residential Loans | |
| Smart-E Loan | ||
| Energize CT Heating Loan | ||
| Business Loans | ||
| C-PACE | ||
| Small Business & Municipal Loan Program |
Solar Water Heater (SWH)
| Resources: | Available Rebates and Incentives: | |
| SWH Guide | Clean Energy Tax Credit | |
| Financing: | ||
| Residential Loans | ||
| Smart-E Loan | ||
Additional Heat Pump Resources
- No-cost heat pump consultation:
Schedule a no-cost, virtual consultation with a Heat Pump Specialist. Whether you are learning about heat pump technology or ready to compare quotes from contractors, this consultation can support you through the process.
- Clean Heating and cooling calculator:
Compare the annual cost and carbon emissions savings from investing in a new heating and cooling system. The Clean Heating & Cooling Calculator can help you see how much upgrading your system to heat pumps would reduce your carbon emissions – and what it would mean for your home’s budget.
Other helpful resources
- Learn More About Heat Pumps
- Heat Pump User Tips
- Schedule a Heat Pump Consultation
- Air Source Heat Pump Check List
- Questions for Your Installer
- Find a Contractor participating in the Energize Connecticut℠ Heat Pump Installer Network
- Additional Consumer Guidance on air source heat pumps (from New England Energy Efficiency Partnerships)
Why upgrade to Clean Heating & Cooling?
Heat pumps use as little as a third of the energy of traditional HVAC systems, providing efficient, quiet, and smart temperature control.
By harnessing energy from the sun, solar hot water heaters use little electricity.
The high efficiency of heat pumps translates into significant cost savings on your overall energy bills. Cleaner technology also means less maintenance, providing further potential savings.
Heat pumps offer a flexible solution for your rear-round heating, cooling and dehumidification needs in one efficient system.
Operating without fossil fuels, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and solar hot water heaters produce no direct emissions. Lower your carbon footprint by switching to clean, fossil-free heating and cooling technologies.
The Residential New Construction Program offers guidance and financial incentives to help you, your architect, and your builder design and construct a home that is a model for energy efficiency and clean heating and cooling. Additional rebates are available for homes that meet higher performance standards such as LEED and Passive House.
Efficiency First: Before upgrading your heating system, consider weatherizing your home or business which may include sealing and insulating your ductwork, air sealing and insulation. The Sponsors of Energize Connecticut offer professional guidance, rebates, and financing that will help you increase your home’s efficiency and prepare for a new heating system. Learn more.
