Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont internship program
WINOOSKI – A sold-out crowd attended the “Air to Water Heat Pump Summit” earlier this month, drawn by a potentially more efficient, money-saving way to heat buildings.
Air-to-water systems heat and cool buildings using the efficient properties of water. They take advantage of previously-built home infrastructure, as well as momentum from national electrification trends.
But there are roadblocks to their growth in North America.
The systems are expensive to install, require a broad effort to educate contractors, and must overcome housing weatherization issues.
Additionally, most heating system installations benefited greatly from federal subsidies, which are absent at the current moment, and have not supported this technology before.
As people use more electricity in their daily lives, air-to-water home heat pumps are “poised for growth,” according to John Siegenthaler, a leading expert on hydronic heating systems and speaker at the event.
He said this technology is common in other parts of the world.
“This is not new technology from a global perspective when we look at European and Asian markets,” Siegenthaler said.
The summit was sponsored by Efficiency Vermont, Associated Building Contractors of VT/NH, and Vermont Construction Academy, as well as a number of manufacturers, distributors and contractors.
Air-to-water systems are hydronic, meaning they use water as the medium for heating and cooling, and are more efficient than other electrical systems that use air. This increases their efficiency in distributing heat around the house.
Additionally, these work well with previously-built, oil-fueled hydronic systems, which are common throughout the northeast.
Pricing and installation
The challenge with the system is the upfront cost.
Air-to-water heat pumps pose a higher financial entry point when compared to other heat source equipment like gas furnaces, air to air heat pumps, boilers or electric resistance.
The system design includes the unit, installation and plumbing, and any other housing changes that are required.
The average cost of installation ranges wildly, depending on the climate and house. Because house design and age vary greatly in Vermont, upfront costs can range anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000, according to contractors at the event.
Jeff Grenier of Master Heating and Plumbing said installing these systems can’t be done on the cheap.
“You just can’t do it for $15,000,” Grenier said. “It’s just not going to happen.”
However, the upfront cost is only part of the equation. Electric systems, especially air-to-water systems, operate more efficiently and can make up for that cost with long-term use.
Moving a heating system off fossil fuel reliance can save hundreds, if not thousands each year, depending on the size of the home, according to a slide show presented by Siegenthaler at the event.
However, with any new technology, it’s important to address the learning curve.
Contractor education and expertise is critical to long-term savings. In North America, this is a new technology, which demands climbing that learning curve.
Today, installers are familiar with air-to-air heat pumps, like ductless mini-spits, said Rachel Roy, a regional sales manager for Mitsubishi.
Air-to-water hydronic systems are different, leading to a big gap of knowledge for installers to learn, Roy said.
Though some of the Vermont contractor base is familiar with hydronic systems, air-to-water systems have subtle differences that are hugely important in their long term efficiency — the place where these systems generate their cost savings.
Air-to-air heat pumps are “appliance-like” heating solutions, said Steve Spatz of Efficiency Vermont. Air-to-water systems, on the other hand, require detailed knowledge of the home infrastructure as they deal with distributing heat to the whole home rather than just a room or area.
That level of in-depth knowledge plays a key part in the distribution of heat around the home, which is the “crux of the system,” said Spatz, who focuses on training and customer engagement.
When trying to heat an entire home, it might not be enough just to throw in an electric heat pump or two, he said. Understanding the energy required from room to room, the installed insulation, and the source of energy powering the house are all more important to air-to-water heat pump installations.
“If they didn’t go through a process of training or education that aligns with getting a plumbing license,” Spatz said, it will require a larger lift.
State of the market
There are no federal subsidies for installation of this new technology. At the state level, Efficiency Vermont offers rebates of up to $6,500.
Still, many customers are priced out of the upgrade and opt for ducted systems, which are cheaper and easier to install.
Contractors, according to Spatz, like cost efficiency. When comparing whole home heating options, ducted systems offer just that.
Weatherization is a must with any heating source upgrade, Spatz said, but Vermont homes face a series of problems there.
Many Vermont homeowners remain skeptical of new home heating technology. Supporters of the new technology are confident it will get better and cheaper with broader adoption.
In an ideal world, these systems will save homeowners money, said Patrick O’Brien, an engineer at Viessmann Heating and Cooling Solutions.
“If we all work together to make sure that we’re putting the correct system into the correct home, and everything’s done the correct way, that’s when you see it done and the savings are there,” O’Brien said.
“If we start off on the wrong foot, the homeowner will feel it in their wallet the most.”