If you’ve heard that heat pumps don’t work well in New York winters, you’re not alone. It’s something we hear from homeowners all the time. And years ago, there was some truth to it.
But heat-pump technology has come a long way. Today’s cold-climate heat pumps are designed specifically for areas like the Hudson Valley and can provide efficient heating even when temperatures fall well below freezing.
At Folkes Brothers, we believe homeowners should understand all of their options before replacing a heating or cooling system. Here are a few things we think you should know.
HEAT PUMPS AREN’T WHAT THEY USED TO BE
A heat pump provides both heating and air conditioning from the same system. Instead of burning fuel to create heat, it transfers heat from the outdoor air into your home. During the summer, it reverses operation and provides air conditioning.
Today’s inverter technology also allows the equipment to automatically adjust its output based on what your home needs. Rather than constantly turning on and off, the system can run longer at lower capacities. This provides steady temperatures, quiet operation, excellent efficiency, and comfortable heating and cooling throughout the year.
YES, THEY WORK IN THE COLD
Probably the biggest question we get is, “But will it actually heat my house when it’s 10 degrees outside?” With the right equipment and proper system design—the answer can absolutely be yes. Modern cold-climate heat pumps are engineered to continue producing heat at temperatures well below freezing. But there’s an important distinction: not every heat pump is a cold-climate heat pump.
Here in the Hudson Valley, selecting equipment based on its performance at low outdoor temperatures is extremely important. Proper sizing and installation can be just as important as the brand of equipment you choose.
NYS CLEAN HEAT REBATES CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
Another reason we’re encouraging homeowners to learn about heat pumps is the NYS Clean Heat Program. For qualifying Central Hudson customers, current incentives for certain full-load cold-climate air-source heat-pump installations in single-family homes over 1,000 square feet can reach up to $8,000 in rebates for qualifying installations when the previous fossil-fuel heating source or oil tank is removed. Qualifying installations where the existing fossil-fuel heating source remains may be eligible for up to $5,000. That’s a significant incentive and can make upgrading to modern heat-pump technology considerably more affordable. Every home and project is different, however, so eligibility should always be confirmed before making an equipment decision.
OUR ADVICE? START WITH THE HOUSE, NOT THE EQUIPMENT
When we’re evaluating a home for a heat pump, we don’t believe in simply looking at the old furnace or boiler and installing something with a similar BTU number. The house needs to be considered as a complete system. Insulation, windows, air leakage, ductwork, electrical service, room-by-room heating requirements, and the equipment’s heating capacity during our coldest weather all matter.
Some homes are excellent candidates for a complete heat-pump conversion. Others may benefit from a different approach. Our job isn’t to sell every homeowner the same system. It’s to help you determine what makes the most sense for your home.
BEFORE YOU REPLACE YOUR FURNACE, BOILER OR AC…
If your heating or air-conditioning equipment is getting older, don’t automatically replace it with the same type of system you’ve always had. Ask about your options. Today’s cold-climate heat pumps can provide efficient winter heating, high-efficiency air conditioning, quiet operation, and excellent year-round comfort—and current New York incentives can make the investment even more attractive.
If you’re wondering whether a heat pump makes sense for your home, give the Folkes Brothers team a call. We’ll take a look at your home, explain the options, and help you make an informed decision.
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements, and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media LLC (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses, or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability, or timeliness of any content submitted, inclusive of materials generated or composed through artificial intelligence (AI). All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party.
