Page 48 - BusinessWest June 12, 2023

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Energy
Continued from page 46
conditioner.
For homes with a natural-gas furnace and duct-
work, the heat-pump unit resembles a traditional cen- tral air-conditioner compressor. For houses without ductwork, a differently designed heat-pump compres- sor connects to a series of units inside the house. These air-handling units are known as mini-splits and provide cooling and heating for each room. One heat- pump compressor can feed up to six mini-splits, each one managed by remote control.
“For example, if three people are in the house and they all have different comfort levels, they can keep each room at a different temperature,” Smith said. “People really like this because they can have true zone-control for their heating and cooling using one main source.”
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that homeowners can save, on average, $1,000 per year by switching to a heat pump. Savings vary depending on the type of heating system in the home. For example, when a heat pump replaces an electric baseboard sys- tem, the savings can exceed $1,200.
By contrast, savings compared to a natural-gas furnace are a few hundred dollars. Making the switch from a natural-gas system is still encouraged because Massachusetts and other New England states have plans in place to significantly reduce the use of natu- ral gas and other fossil fuels used for heating by the end of this decade.
“The states want more people to use electricity as their energy source,” Smith said, “and heat pumps are the most efficient form of electric heat.”
While heat pumps provide plenty of benefits as the main heating and cooling source, he went on, it’s smart to keep traditional heating systems in place as
“Everything in the heating and cooling universe is becoming more efficient. Even new oil burners use less oil than in the past.”
a supplement.
“I like having a backup source because we live in
New England where every few years we get a long cold snap,” he said. “Heat pumps have a hard time keeping up when it’s really cold, so it’s good to have that backup source when you need it.”
Even as a supplemental source, today’s traditional heating systems are more efficient than units from 10 years ago.
“Everything in the heating and cooling universe is becoming more efficient,” Smith said. “Even new oil burners use less oil than in the past.”
What’s in Store?
The next big development in solar involves energy storage, an area Rondeau called an increasingly large part of his business. At the most basic level, storage means batteries to keep the excess energy generated from a solar installation.
New battery-storage units are available that can send energy back to the grid as well as store it for the homeowner. The state program Connected Solutions allows utilities to pull energy out of home-based bat- teries during the highest-demand times and then com- pensate the homeowner when there is less demand. It’s up to the individual how much energy they want to
make available to the grid and how much they want to store.
“People who want to be off grid as much as pos- sible can set up their storage so they can be self-suf- ficient to an extent without risking too much battery drain,” Rondeau said.
Because the cost of these sophisticated storage devices can be expensive, the state offers 0% loans from Mass Save.
The biggest benefit of energy storage is evident during power outages. With the batteries storing power, a home’s electric system can continue to work uninterrupted. Rondeau noted that stored energy can be more effective and less fussy than owning a backup generator.
“Generators need to be tested every month. When you need to use them, they are noisy, and you have to buy fuel for them,” he explained. “Also, there are no 0% loans available for generators.”
As technology allows home solar systems to perform more complex tasks, the user interface is becoming simpler.
“It’s like your smartphone,” he said. “What it’s doing in the background is complex, but what you are doing with your thumb is simple.”
Because new materials are coming to market all the time, it’s important for homeowners considering any of these projects to speak with a professional. The businesses we spoke with all offer free consulta- tions to help people get a realistic idea of what will work for them.
“I suggest people do their research,” Rudd said, “and spend the extra time to make sure they are get- ting exactly what they want for their home.” BW
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