Professional Heat Pump Services Skokie, IL
Have you heard about the growing buzz surrounding heat pumps and hybrid heat systems in the Chicago area? While it may seem new, heat pump technology has been around for decades, but it’s now gaining traction in Chicago as an energy-efficient heating solution. At Elite HVACs Heating & Air, we specialize in heat pump services in Skokie, Glenview, and surrounding areas, offering homeowners a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to heat their homes during the freezing Illinois winters. Whether you’re looking for a full heat pump installation in Chicago or exploring the benefits of hybrid heat systems, our expert technicians are here to guide you every step of the way. Bryant heat pumps are known for their reliability and energy efficiency, helping you reduce your carbon footprint while saving on your energy bills. With the rising cost of heating in Chicago, switching to a heat pump can be a game-changer for homeowners seeking cost-saving heating solutions. Contact our team today for a free estimate and see why we’re your Chicago heat pump experts.
Why Make The Change To a Heat Pump in the Chicago Area?
Put simply? Money. Due to the current policies of the national and local governments, “electrification” is all the rage these days. Because of that, the federal government and local utilities are giving out the largest incentives in years for people to put these systems in their houses.
How Do Heat Pumps Work in the Chicago Area?
A hybrid heat system is named that way because it uses an electric heat pump and a gas-fired furnace. That’s two sources of energy; two sources of potential heat, hence the word “hybrid.” A heat pump is simply a standard air conditioner (or condensing unit) with an extra part inside of it that can actually reverse the flow of refrigerant. It looks IDENTICAL to your standard AC that you know and love. But when the temperature dips below 72, your heat pump can create heat for your home by taking heat out of the outside air and putting it in your home. And it’s actually pretty good at it, too.
While a gas furnace in your home is usually 80% efficient, or 96% efficient or maybe even 98% efficient, a heat pump can be up to 375% efficient! That’s because a heat pump doesn’t CREATE heat. It simply TAKES the heat from outside, uses refrigerant to create hot air from it, and puts it in your home.
Do Heat Pumps Work in Chicago’s Climate?
During a polar vortex? Nope. But despite our frigid reputation, 76% of the hours our heating systems are being used are above 30 degrees. And 90% of the heating hours are above 20 degrees!
A heat pump is a PERFECT solution when the temperatures outside are between 70 and about 35 degrees. If it gets colder than that, just use your gas furnace like always!
Do I Need To Worry About New Heat Pump Technology?
Heat pumps have been around for decades, and they are used almost 100% of the time in southern climates. Remember that temperature range we said earlier? 70 down to 35 degrees? Well in southern climates, that’s usually as cold as they get. So they can heat their homes efficiently with heat pumps and have no need for a furnace backup.
So if you put a heat pump outside of your home, rest assured that you are using PROVEN Bryant technology.
Can I Really Save Money By Having a Heat Pump in the Chicago Area?
YES! And you can do it four ways. First of all, it has never been cheaper for the upfront cost of a heat pump, thanks to manufacturers and distributors taking advantage of the market. The federal government has seemingly always had some sort of tax credit. Usually in the range of $250-$500. But right now, the 25C Tax Credit gives you up to $2000 in a tax credit if you install a qualifying heat pump and $600 in a tax credit if you install a qualifying furnace (please consult your tax professional).
On top of that, local electric companies like ComEd are giving instant rebates of up to $1400 for qualifying heat pumps. But we can also help you take advantage of the fourth way to save money below.
Benefits of Heat Pumps: Best of Both Worlds
A hybrid heat system uses two utilities – electricity to power your outdoor heat pump, and (usually) natural gas to power your furnace inside. Both of those items are commodities – their prices rise and lower based on supply, demand, and other external factors. Let’s say electricity starts to get really cheap. Use your heat pump as much as you can to heat your home, and when it gets really, REALLY cold, then use your gas furnace.
Now let’s say electricity ticks up a bit and the price of natural gas gets low. Now you use your furnace even when there are milder temps and you don’t use your heat pump much at all. It’s giving you the best of both worlds, saving you actual money on energy bills because you’re not FORCED to use gas or electricity when the temperatures require it. But your money on a heat pump wasn’t wasted because you probably got it for less or about the same as a standard system!
For Heat Pump Services in Skokie, IL Contact Elite HVACs Heating & Air Today
Call us today. We’ve become experts at hybrid heat systems when not many other companies in Chicagoland have. Why? Because it’s new. It’s difficult to understand. And it’s not “the way we’ve always done it”.
But when it comes to being Elite, well, that’s kind of what we’re all about.
