News > A Year of Savings with Innovative Energy Solutions – Air Source Heat Pump

A Year of Savings with Innovative Energy Solutions – Air Source Heat Pump

April 2023

Throughout 2023, Stearns Electric will be featuring residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural EnergyWise programs, rebates and other cost and energy saving features in our Year of Savings with Innovative Energy Solutions. In April we are featuring members Steve and Sue Dudding and the Air Source Heat Pump.

Member Interview

STEVE AND SUE DUDDING
Member since 2009
Installed an Air Source Heat Pump in 2014

WHY DID YOU INSTALL AN AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP (ASHP)?
It made economic sense. For us, it made more sense in the long run to install an air source heat pump in place of a standard air conditioning unit and enroll it in the Dual Fuel program to heat our home with off-peak energy.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST BENEFIT SINCE INSTALLING THE ASHP?
Being able to participate in one of the Cooperative’s EnergyWise programs and receiving our heating and cooling energy at the EnergyWise rate for our needs. An added benefit is that we are very seldomly needing to worry about propane pricing as we use very little with the ASHP.

ARE THERE ANY INCONVENIENCES OF USING THE ASHP?
We’ve never had any inconveniences since installing the ASHP, we don’t even notice the control periods.

HOW MUCH DID YOU RECEIVE IN REBATES?
When we installed our new system in 2014, the rebate we received specifically for the ASHP was $450.

HOW MUCH MONEY HAVE YOU SAVED SINCE YOU ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM?
In combination with the EnergyWise rate and no longer needing to rely on propane (and its fluctuating costs), we save over $1,600 annually. In total, our entire system has more than paid for itself.

HOW MUCH ENERGY HAVE YOU SAVED SINCE YOU ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM?
We save nearly 18,000 kWh annually, when compared to a 100% resistive heat source.

Air Source Heat Pump

The EnergyWise Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) is the best of both worlds – ASHPs provide home cooling and supplemental heating with less electricity than conventional air conditioners or furnaces. You have complete control by being able to switch between cooling and heating directly from your thermostat. Air Source Heat Pumps must be enrolled on the EnergyWise Cycled Air Conditioning and Dual Fuel programs in order to get the lower EnergyWise rate.

REBATE REQUIREMENTS:

• Participants must have an electric heating system of 9 kW or more, combined with an acceptable whole home backup heating system equal to or greater than the electric system enrolled on the program. Failure to have a working backup heating system will result in removal from the program.
• Participants receive electricity used for cooling and heating at the EnergyWise rate.
• Rebates are available for new ASHPs installed by a Quality Install registered contractor. From now through June 30th, increased promotional rebate amounts are available, see the advertisement on back for more details.

Due to their high-efficiency, ASHPs can save homeowners 30-55% on home heating costs and result in a significant reduction of CO2 emissions compared to traditional heating.

Stearns Electric offers residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural rebates for our member-consumers. By upgrading to more efficient equipment and enrolling in our EnergyWise programs, you will save money and energy every month. Contact Stearns Electric at (800) 962-0655 for more information.

Click here to see the full April Innovative Energy Solutions feature.