Renewable Juneau’s
Heat Pump 101 Workshop
on November 10 was a huge success. Over 120 people attended to learn how a heat pump can slash their heating bill by 1/3 to 2/3 and heat their home or business with local power and no fossil fuels. If you could not attend, we are likely to hold our 3rd workshop next spring.
Vist our blog to download a pdf of our heat pump presentation and to see our list of ‘essential’ helpers without whom this event would not have been possible.
Like magic, heat pumps pull heat energy right out of thin air! If you have a refrigerator, then you already have the basic technology in your home.
Hundreds of homes, businesses, and municipal buildings have already converted, including the airport, the pool, the NOAA lab, Tyler Rental and Foodland IGA.
FAQ
What is a heat pump and how does it work?
Have you ever put your hand near the back of a refrigerator and noticed that it was warm? It uses a compressor to remove the heat from inside the box. Simply turn that technology the other direction to pull warmth into your home and voila, you have a heat pump. Rather than creating heat, heat pumps move heat – and compress it. The compression is what turns that cold Alaskan air into 70 degree heat for your home. Click here for a more in-depth explanation.
What if I already have electric heat?
Heat pumps are three times more efficient than electric resistance baseboards. Homes with electric resistance heat are great candidates for converting to a heat pump. One popular option is to install an air source heat pump in the main living area and leave electric baseboards in rooms that don’t get as much air flow, such as bathrooms and back bedrooms. This reduces the cost of installation and still lowers your monthly heating bill.
What is the difference between air source, ground source, and seawater heat pumps?
Heat pumps can pull warmth from different sources: from the ground, the water, or right out of thin air. They require different equipment and different installation depending on which kind you choose. Air source heat pumps are generally the simplest and least expensive to install.
Do they work in Alaska’s cold climate?
There have been significant improvements in heat pump technology over the last 2-3 decades, and especially in the last 5 years. Whereas the heat pumps of the 1980s couldn’t keep up when temperatures dropped, they now work down to -5 to -15 degrees Farenheit. They are well suited for Juneau’s coastal climate. However, outside of SE Alaska, you might be better off with a ground source heat pump. If you live in Fairbanks, Anchorage, or somewhere with comparable temperatures, please check with the Cold Climate Housing Research Center in Fairbanks to make sure that what you choose to install will be a good fit.
How can I get one?
It is important to start by looking at the heating system you already have. Do you already have existing duct work or a boiler? Sometimes that infrastructure can be connected to a new heat source. It is also important to think about the layout of your space and how large it is. Make sure you choose one that will be a good fit. There are several businesses in Juneau that install and service heat pumps. They can give you an estimate and explain the process. Both of the following businesses install residential heat pumps in Juneau:
Alaska Plumbing and Heating: (907) 209-6648 juneaualaskaplumbing.com
All American Heating & Plumbing: (907) 789-1800 www.allamericanph.com
Icehouse Refrigeration: (907) 523-2700 http://www.icehouseefrigeration.com
Plumbing & Heating Company: (907) 789-3332 www.plumbandheat.com
Schmolck Mechanical Contractors: (907) 225-6648 schmolckmechanical.com
Always Start with Energy Efficiency
The cheapest and most sustainable energy is power that you don’t use. Before you change your heating system, make sure that your home is tightly sealed and properly ventilated.
AHFC offers a regular online webinar about energy efficiency: www.ahfc.us/classes/
Free weatherization assistance is available for Native and non-Native households through Tlingit & Haida Regional Housing Authority.
How much does it cost to convert?
Prices vary widely depending on the size and layout of your home, as well as your existing heating system. An air-source heat pump is roughly comparable to installing a monitor heater. Installing one unit can be as low as $3,000 while converting a whole house, with numerous rooms, can cost as much as $15,000. Many people have found that the cost was comparable to replacing their oil furnace when it wore out. Other people have chosen to use heat pumps as supplemental heat, placing one unit in the main living area and keeping electric baseboards, for example, in back bedrooms. Each situation is unique so be sure to get an estimate for your unique situation. Additionally, costs can vary between contractors so it’s worth getting a second or third opinion as well.
How much money will I save?
Most people report saving one-third to two-thirds on their average heating bill when swapping resistance baseboard or oil-fired heat with an air source heat pump. With a ground-source heat pump, some people pay a total of $100/month for electricity and heat. In Seward, “Baker says the taxpayer-owned SeaLife Center turned off its two oil-fired boilers in 2012 and began to realize savings of $10,000 a month in fuel, or $120,000 a year. This will pay back the original investment in a little under nine years.”
What about the up-front cost? Are there resources to help finance the conversion?
Yes! Here are 4 options to get you started:
1. PFD money.
2. The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) has multiple loan programs:
www.ahfc.us/buy/loan-programs/second-mortgage-programs/
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation – Renovation Loan program
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation – Home Energy Loan
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation – Other Loans
3. Financing through a Home Equity Line of Credit (ask your bank or credit union).
4. Home Depot offers project loans and credit cards. The interest rate on the project loan is 8%, so if the other options are available to you, they probably have a lower interest rate. www.homedepot.com/c/Credit_Center
Are there other heat pumps in Juneau?
Yes! Hundreds of residents have converted their homes and businesses to heat pumps in the last few years. Most of these are air source heat pumps, yet here are also several homes with ground source heat pumps.
Additionally, there is a seawater heat pump system at the Ted Stevens NOAA lab out the road and there is a similar salt water heat pump system at the Seward Sea Life Center.
What is district heating and how does that relate to heat pumps?
District heating uses a single heat source for multiple buildings. Such technology has been around for more than 100 years and works well in densely populated areas. The Juneau Airport, for example, has a very small district heating system. The Juneau Airport is powered by a ground-source heat pump. There is a proposal moving forward to bring district heating to downtown Juneau. This system would use a seawater heat pump to heat buildings – and possibly even sidewalks! Click here to watch a video about the proposed project.