December 6, 2019
It’s the time of year for homeowners here in Maine to start preparing for the inevitable cold of winter. Have you removed that old AC unit from the window? Is your heating and cooling system running efficiently? What about scheduling oil delivery for your furnace? Did you know that according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, “Nearly two-thirds of Maine households use fuel oil as their primary energy source for home heating, a larger share than in any other state”? Not only does this leave Mainers vulnerable to unpredictable oil prices, but also to interruptions in the fossil fuel supply chain.
Many homeowners throughout York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Androscoggin, and Lincoln counties have been looking to do away with the environmental impact of petroleum-based heating in favor of cheaper, more reliable methods of keeping comfortable during the New England winter. Fortunately, Goggin Energy has come up with a winning combination that will keep your home cozy throughout the next Nor’easter, and can also keep your home nice and cool once the summer arrives again!
What Is An Electric Heat Pump?
The term “heat pump” can be misleading, because a heat pump does not just heat a home like a furnace, it can cool it, too! They are also known as ductless mini-splits when there is direct distribution through wall mount, floor mount or ceiling cassette heads. Electric heat pumps have been making headlines here in Maine in recent years. Why you ask? Heat pumps are uniquely designed to battle the comfort challenges of the New England climate in an efficient way. (You can learn more about how a heat pump works by watching this video.)
Heat pumps consist of an indoor air handler and an outdoor compressor unit. A single heat pump can be installed in a room that requires supplemental, targeted heating and cooling, while multiple air handlers can be combined with a single outdoor compressor for a customized whole-home comfort solution that replaces your old, inefficient furnace.
Curious how much a heat pump can save you? Check out The Science of Savings with a Heat Pump.
Combining Heat Pumps with Solar Energy
So what happens when you combine impressive energy efficient heating and cooling with a well designed solar electric system? You get reliable comfort, for just a fraction of both the operating cost and carbon footprint. By switching from an oil furnace to an electric heat pump, you can do away with the carbon emissions that come with burning fossil fuels, and by utilizing solar energy you can power your heat pump while using the minimum amount of electricity from the electrical grid. This also means lowering your heating and cooling costs, since you’re generating most of your own electricity from your solar panels.
When you combine the energy efficient heating and cooling of a heat pump with a custom-designed carbon offsetting solar PV array, inverter, and energy monitoring system from Goggin, you can see a number of benefits for decades to come, such as:
- Increased home comfort control
- Reduced carbon footprint & environmental impact
- Lower year-round heating and cooling costs
- Isolation from unpredictable oil and electricity costs
Maine’s “Whole-Home” Solar Power Experts
So, why would it be important to combine your heat pump installation with solar PV (photovoltaic) system installation? Because your whole home is connected. The size and location of your heat pumps and the number of solar panels you will need are directly connected to your overall home performance.
At Goggin Energy, we thoughtfully work alongside you and your family’s comfort and energy goals to design a solar PV system that can offset the energy required by your new heat pump system. There is no one size fits all when it comes to solar energy — each home has its own challenges and home comfort needs. When you combine your heat pump installation with solar installation, you can maximize your annual energy savings without sacrificing any of your home comfort.
Make the switch from fossil fuels when you combine your heat pump with solar energy. Schedule an appointment with Goggin Energy today — call
or contact us.