Heat Pumps
Which Heat Pump Is Right For Me?
Heat pumps provide energy-efficient heating and cooling, work well in cold climates, and can provide space conditioning at as little as one quarter of the cost of conventional appliances.
If you heat your building with natural gas – as most Burlingtonians do – you might not save money with an air-source heat pump; your electric bill could go up by more than your gas bill goes down.
Weatherize First. Field studies show that heat pumps work best in weatherized buildings. For very well-insulated and air-sealed buildings, heat pumps do not require a fossil fuel backup for operation in extremely cold outdoor temperatures.
Contact BED Energy Services to get started with free, unbiased advice. We’ll walk you through the decision-making process and help you maximize your energy investments.
Mini-Split Heat Pump
- Heats & cools specific rooms.
- Ductless. Inexpensive to install.
- Mini-splits can provide an easy-to-install heating and cooling solution for buildings without ductwork for rooms that were not previously conditioned.
- Mini-splits can be more affordable than other heat pump system types, so can serve as a more accessible way for some building owners to strategically electrify and reduce their carbon footprint.
- For cooling, a Mini-splits may cost 40% less to operate than room air conditioners of equivalent capacity.
- Some of the latest Mini-splits models can provide space heating without fossil fuel backup at very low outdoor temperatures.
- Mini-splits can last 12 – 15 years, depending on the installation location and exposure of the outdoor unit.
Receive up to $3,350 toward the purchase of an eligible cold climate heat pump (CCHP). Learn more about other amazing rebate offers that are part of our Green Stimulus program.
Rebate Form: Mini-Split Heat Pump
Centrally Ducted Heat Pump
- Replaces or augments existing gas furnace & ducts
- Can heat & cool entire home/building
Ducted heat pump systems use existing ductwork to distribute conditioned air for both heating and cooling to your entire building or home. They can also be retrofit to work with your existing furnace. Customers considering these systems should work with HVAC contractors with controls systems experience to program a Centrally Ducted Heat Pump system for effective and energy-efficient operation.
Rebate: BED has increased the centrally ducted heat pump incentives to a maximum total today of up to $8,750 to support local projects through December 31, 2021.
REBATE: Centrally Ducted Air-Source Heat Pump
Air to Water Heat Pump
- Replaces an aging gas boiler & baseboards
- Can heat & cool entire home/building
Air to Water heat pumps work similarly to the heat pumps mentioned above but they circulate water for heating and cooling, and can provide domestic hot water. Hydronic distribution uses water as a heat transfer fluid to distribute heat.
Heat pumps can be retrofit to work with your existing boiler. Customers considering these systems should work with HVAC contractors with controls systems experience to program an Air to Water heat pump system for effective and energy-efficient operation.
Rebate: BED has increased the air to water heat pump incentives from a maximum total today of $5,000 to $12,500 to support local projects.
REBATE: Air to Water Heat Pump
Ground-Source Heat Pump
Or Geothermal Heat Pump 
- For new construction or extensive retrofits
- Suitable for larger/community homes, commercial buildings
Ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs), also called “geothermal” heat pumps, are a type of heat pump that exchange heat between a building and the ground or groundwater by circulating refrigerant between indoor equipment and an outdoor loop.
- Lower and more predictable annual energy bills
- Resilient and reliable comfort and efficient energy performance year-round
- Emissions-free heating and cooling for low environmental impact
- A low maintenance, long-term solution for space conditioning needs
More about Ground-Source Heat Pumps
Preferred Heat Pump Installer Network
Burlington Electric Department recognizes these important partners – all members of Vermont’s Efficiency Excellence Network – for their work and ability to deliver the highest-quality heat pump services to our customers. If you would like your company to be included on our list of preferred heat pump installers, please contact Jennifer Green at (802) 865-7349 or jgreen@burlingtonelectric.com.
Financing
Several local credit unions are offering special rates on loans for installing heat pumps and other purchases that support the city’s Net Zero Energy goal.
| GMCU | BED Renewable Energy Loan |
| Opportunities Credit Union | Home Energy Loan |
| Vermont Federal Credit Union | Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Loan |
| VSECU | Home Energy Loan Program |
Electric Panel Upgrades
With the growing popularity of heat pumps, electric vehicles, and other electric appliances, some Burlingtonians may soon reach the limits of their current electric panel. Upgrading your panel to accommodate your current and future needs — and help the city’s Net Zero Energy goal — is now a lot easier with several local credit unions offering exceptionally low rates for these panel upgrades.
| GMCU | BED Renewable Energy Loan |
| Opportunities Credit Union | Home Improvement Loan (EV) Home Energy Loan (HP) |
| Vermont Federal Credit Union | Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Loan |
| VSECU | Home Energy Loan Program |