Choosing the Right HVAC Equipment for You
Cedar Falls Utilities offers cost-sharing rebates to assist customers with the purchase of efficient heating, ventilation or
air conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
For CFU customers Liz and Charlie Wehrmacher, rebates assisted with the purchase of an air source heat pump as a replacement for their dated air conditioning unit.
In the summer, an air source heat pump works much like a traditional air conditioner and is powered by electricity.
An air source heat pump can also heat your home in the winter by using the unique heat-exchange capabilities of refrigerant to
move heat energy from the air outside and then distribute it in your home.
The Wehrmachers kept their traditional natural gas furnace but use it as a backup option when extremely cold temperatures create difficulty for a heat pump to operate most effectively.
They now have a dual fuel system. This allows them to utilize both electricity and natural gas and select the fuel that best meets their needs at the time.
The efficiency of an air source heat pump is what drew the Wehrmachers to adding the option.
When temperatures are above 30°F, a heat pump can produce heat much more efficiently than a natural gas furnace or electric resistance heat sources, helping to heat your home with less energy.
The Wehrmachers also chose to add ductless mini split systems in the parts of their home that did not receive adequate air flow. Rather than heating or cooling their entire home to achieve a set point in a certain room, they found that a mini split system could operate more efficiently.
Ductless mini split systems operate similarly to air source heat pumps and run on electricity but are not tied to HVAC ductwork and are intended for single rooms.
By adding a ductless mini split to their second story bedroom, they found they were able to maintain a comfortable temperature in their room without having to overcompensate by heating or cooling the main level.
While this set up helps the Wehrmachers meet their heating and cooling needs, the CFU Energy Services team knows not all houses are the same and customers’ needs differ.
"Our rebate programs are developed to assist customers with upgrades to the efficient equipment that makes the most sense for them," says Matt Hein, Energy Services Manager.
"Our goal is to help our customers and the community use less energy and we know that looks different for everyone."
When choosing the right heating equipment for your home, it is important to look at the complete life cycle cost. Some options may be a more expensive up-front investment but can save you money in your utility costs and may be eligible for incentives and federal tax credits.
Contact your preferred HVAC contractor for more information about the available options like dual fuel systems for your house.
For a list of CFU cost-sharing rebates and details visit cfu.net/rebates.