How to Qualify

Install a complete new or replacement variable capacity cold climate air source heat pump (ccASHP) system, intended to service the entire home. The newly installed system must meet the following criteria:

• Compressor must be of variable capacity with three or more distinct operating speeds, or continuously variable speed
• Minimum total rated heating capacity at 8.3 °C of 3.52 kW (12,000 BTU/h)
• HSPF (AHRI Climate Region Zone IV) ≥ 10
• Central system or minimum three indoor heads for ductless
• COP ≥ 1.8 at -15 °C (5 °F) (at maximum capacity operation);
• Capacity maintenance (Max -15 °C (5 °F)/Rated 8.3 °C (47 °F)) ≥ 70%

What is an Air-Source Heat Pump?

Air-source heat pumps use the outdoor air as a source of thermal energy in heating mode, and as a sink to reject energy when in cooling mode, in order to heat or cool air inside your home.

Generally there are two types of air-source heat pumps for your home:

• Ducted
  • The indoor coil of the heat pump is located in a duct. Air is heated or cooled by passing over the coil, before being distributed to different locations in the home.
  
  
• Ductless
  • The indoor coil of the heat pump is located in an indoor unit. These indoor units are generally located on the floor or wall of an occupied space, and heat or cool the air in that space directly.

Efficiency

The major benefit of using an air-source heat pump is the high efficiency it can provide in heating compared to typical systems like furnaces, boilers and electric baseboards. The higher efficiency of the heat pump can translate into significant energy use reductions. Actual savings in your house will depend on a number of factors, including your local climate, efficiency of your current system, size and type of heat pump, and the control strategy. Many online calculators are available to provide a quick estimation of how much energy savings you can expect for your particular application.