What is a Heat Pump, and Why Does It Matter This Fall?
Understanding Your Heating System
Welcome to cooler weather! As the seasons change, it’s a good time to think about how your home stays warm — and how your heating system affects your electric bill.
Most multifamily communities use electric heat pumps to provide warmth in each home. This differs from most single-family homes, which typically rely on gas furnaces or boilers to generate heat. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, furnaces create heat and distribute it through ducts, while heat pumps move existing warmth from the outside air into your home. This design makes heat pumps efficient in mild to moderately cool weather and ideal for communities where each unit has its own electric system rather than shared gas service.
Heating your home can make up more than half of your monthly electricity usage. This expense is particularly noticeable when temperatures drop below 30 degrees, causing your normally efficient heat pump to switch to the far less efficient mode of auxiliary or “emergency” heat. That backup heat is helpful but draws much more electricity, so your bill can rise if it runs often or is turned on by mistake.
Letting the heat pump do the work helps you stay comfortable while keeping costs in check. Keep your thermostat steady, make small adjustments instead of large swings, and use “heat” mode rather than “emergency heat” unless a technician advises otherwise. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat around 68°F to 70°F while you’re home and lowering it slightly while you’re asleep or away to save energy. Clean or replace filters and keep vents open so air can move freely.
Watch the short video below to see how heat pumps behave in cool weather and how small thermostat habits can make a big difference in comfort and cost.