Heat Pump Rebates
Why Heat Pumps
In the Pacific Northwest it is safe to assume that 8 months out of the year the largest contributor to your energy bill comes from heating your home. High efficiency air source heat pumps can significantly lower your homes energy bill throughout the year. Heat pumps offer many advantages and with current rebates available from both PenLight and the Federal Government, installing a heat pump has never been more affordable. The Heat Pump Rebate requires the contractor to be PTCS Certified and have an active agreement with PenLight to participate in the program.
PenLight Heat Pump Rebate
PenLight is offering two types of rebates for members who want to install a new high efficiency air source heat pump at their home:
- Air Source Heat Pump Upgrade - Members who replace an existing heat pump with a new qualifying energy efficient heat pump are eligible to receive a PenLight rebate of $470. Homes with a substantial amount of ductwork in an unconditioned living space (i.e. crawlspaces or attics) will qualify for a Heat Pump Upgrade Rebate of $915 to help offset the cost of required duct sealing.
- Air Source Heat Pump Conversion - Members who replace an electric, oil, propane or natural gas furnace with a high efficiency electric air source heat pump may receive a PenLight rebate of $1,400. The heat pump mustact as the home’s primary heating source to qualify. For members whose homes have a significant amount of ductwork in an unconditioned living space (i.e. crawlspaces or attics), the Heat Pump Conversion Rebate will be set at $1,900 to help offset the cost of required duct sealing.
To qualify for PenLight’s Heat Pump Rebate Program, homes with a substantial amount of ductwork in unconditioned living spaces must have their ducts sealed. A duct system that is well-designed and properly sealed can make your home more comfortable, energy efficient, and safer. For more information about duct sealing, ‘click here’.
About Heat Pumps
In climates with moderate heating and cooling needs, heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. Like your refrigerator, heat pumps use electricity to move heat from a cool space into a warm space, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer. During the heating season, heat pumps move heat from the cool outdoors into your warm house; during the cooling season, heat pumps move heat from your cool house into the warm outdoors. Because they move heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can provide up to 4 times the amount of energy they consume.
The most common type of heat pump is the air-source heat pump, which transfers heat between your house and the outside air. If you heat with electricity, a heat pump can trim your energy use by as much as 30%–40%. High-efficiency heat pumps also dehumidify better than standard central air conditioners, resulting in less energy usage and more cooling comfort in summer months.
Which Heat Pumps Qualify?
Contractors participating in PenLight’s Heat Pump Rebate Program will be familiar with which models will best suit your house and also qualify for available rebates. In most cases, your selection of a high efficiency heat pump qualifies you for PenLight’s Utility Rebate and the Federal Tax Weatherization Credit (30% of installed cost - up to $1,500). This Federal Tax Credit is scheduled to expire at the end of 2010.
Consult with your Contractor or PenLight before installation if you have any questions about qualifying for either rebate.
To be eligible for the PenLight’s Utility Rebate, new heat pumps must have ratings equal to or greater than the following performance certifications:
| Product Type | Performance Specifications | Rebate Amount | Required Documentation & Testing |
|
Air Source Heat Pump |
SEER 14 HSPF 8.5 The following exceptions will be allowed: a minimum SEER rating of 13.5 shall be acceptable when HSPF is at least 8.6 a minimum SEER rating of 13.0 shall be acceptable when HSPF is at least 8.7 |
Heat Pump Upgrade $915 |
Purchase Invoice ARI Certification *PTCS Commissioning *PTCS Duct Sealing and Testing PTCS Verification |
|
Heat Pump Conversion $1,900 |
|||
* The costs for PTCS Testing and Commissioning vary depending on the size of home.
The vast majority of PTCS tested, commissioned and sealed systems will pass and qualify for the above rebates. Yet due to the variances in ductwork design and installation practices, PenLight offers NO guarantee that a tested system will pass. Paying for and having work performed on your ductwork does not insure certification. Please allow 6-8 weeks for arrival of Utility Rebate Check.
Federal Tax Credit Web Sites
| Product Type | Performance Specifications | Credit Amount | Required Documentation |
|
Air Source Heat Pump |
SEER 15 HSPF 8.5 EER 12.5 |
30% of installed cost up to $1500 |
Purchase Invoice AHRI Certification |
To fully understand how the new tax credit may apply to you and what you can do to obtain one, you should consult with a tax professional for advice on tax preparation, as this tax credit is subject to IRS regulations.
Can I Choose My Own Contractor?
The Heat Pump Rebate requires the contractor performing the work must be PTCS Certified and have an active agreement with PenLight to participate in the program. A list of certified contractors is provided below for your convenience.
Preferred Contractor List
| Kohler Heating & Air Conditioning 253.858.8922 |
All Season’s Heating 253.879.9144 |
| Kliemann Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning 253.537.0655 |
Advanced Filter and Mechanical 800.783.2539 |
| Narrows Heating and Air Conditioning 253.627.7543 |
Gig Harbor Heating and Air Conditioning 253.853.7008 |
| Mercurio’s Heating & Air Conditioning 253.475.3828 |
Chehalis Sheet Metal 360.373.3022 |
Other Qualified Contractors
| Evergreen Home Heating and Energy 206.792.9328 |
Air Masters Inc. 360.895.2527 |
| One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning 360.918.9300 |
Quality Heating & Air Conditioning 360.613.5614 |
| Puyallup Heating and Air Conditioning 253.845.0581 |
Jim's Heating and Air 360.427.5332 |
| Olympic Heating and Cooling 360.426.9945 |
Dana's Heating Inc. 360.876.7670 |
| Energy Reclaim Heating and Ventilating 253.224.1490 |
Sullivan Heating and Cooling 360.405.0723 |
| Advanced Heating & Cooling 253.858.1408 |
Air Comfort Zone 253.862.0806 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Duct Sealing?
Homes that have forced-air heating and cooling systems use ducts to move air from the heating or cooling source throughout the home. Duct sealing in your home can allow for proper airflow creating a comfortable living space. Even in new construction, approximately 20% of the air flowing though the ductwork is lost though poorly sealed areas, holes, and leaks. In older homes the duct loss can be much more. PTCS Certified Technicians use a product called mastic to ensure longevity and quality assurance when sealing ducts. Mastic is a flexible sealant that never fully hardens and expands and contracts concurrently with ductwork.
How do you know if your home has poorly performing ducts?
- You have high summer and winter utility bills
- You have rooms that are difficult to heat and cool
- You have stuffy rooms that never seem to feel comfortable
- Your ducts are located in an attic, crawlspace, or the garage
- You find tangled or kinked flexible ducts in your system
My home has insulation, why is it important to seal ducts?
Weather your ductwork is hard sheet metal or flex duct, it requires a thermal shell or insulation to maintain the temperature emitted. Although insulation does help maintain the warm and cool air passing through the ducts, it cannot eliminate leaks in poor ductwork. Duct sealing can drastically reduce the amount of wasted energy that escapes though ducts. Also, unlike duct tape which cracks and allows for air leaks in a matter of months, PTCS duct sealing ensures your ductwork will remain tight for years to come.
What is PTCS Certification?
‘Performance Tested Comfort Systems’ (PTCS) is a certification program for residential heat pumps and duct systems sponsored by the Bonneville Power Administration regarding the best practices for high performing HVAC systems. Through the PTCS program, contractors are trained in the specifications and must submit paperwork for each job to a registry maintained by Ecos Consulting. Ecos also performs site inspections on a percentage of jobs to ensure PTCS standards are being consistently upheld.
What types of systems does PTCS certify?
PTCS certifies air and ground source heat pumps, duct sealing, and duct testing.
Why do I need to have so many inspections performed on my system?
Contractors and many utility programs offering incentives return to inspect a recently installed job to ensure it was completed correctly. Ecos performs its own third party inspections on a percentage of jobs to ensure that the quality of the work is upheld, and that each system is saving the customer as much energy as possible. The additional testing brings no additional cost to the homeowner.
How do I become a PTCS certified technician?
Successful completion of the PTCS heat pump or duct sealing class is required to become a certified contractor. Contractors interested in becoming PTCS certified can ‘Click Here’ for more information.
For more information, call 253.853.1392 or send an email
