Air Tights News | Spring Edition | May 2019
Happy Spring!
We hope you find this update useful and informative.
Airtight Insight is intended to keep builders, renovators, code officials, and architects up to date on utility sponsored incentives and rebate changes as well as let everyone know of upcoming events. Relevant articles on the MA Energy Code and building science will also be featured.
Air Source Heat Pumps – Air Conditioning is Becoming a Factor
by Tim Gould
One of the questions we get often asked is how much these air source heating and cooling systems will cost to operate. The answer is that it depends on several factors such as fluctuating fuel costs, electricity costs, equipment efficiency ratings, building air leakage rates, building heating and cooling loads, changing average annual temperatures, and more.
The table below shows a relative difference between fuels and equipment to give us a general idea. In short, it is clear that air source heat pump systems are much less expensive than heating with oil and propane. And air source heat pump systems are about the same cost as natural gas to heat homes.
However, when adding the savings from high-efficiency cooling compared to conventional air conditioning which commonly have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) of 13, both ducted and ductless air source heat pumps appear to be more cost-effective than heating with natural gas and cooling along with conventional air conditioning equipment. Once solar panels are added, savings increase dramatically.
According to weather data the number of heating and cooling degree days (the number of degrees that a day’s average temperature is below or above 65o) is changing. The number of cooling degree days recorded at Boston’s Logan airport in the year 2000 is 1,141 compared to 1,785 in 2018 representing a 56% increase in “cooling time”. At the same time heating degree days decreased from 4,460 in 2000 to 4,218 in 2018, a 5% drop. Thus, if this trend continues high-efficiency air conditioning will become more important in calculating total annual heating and cooling costs in New England.
Relative Cost Difference Between Fuels for a Single-Family Home
Savings on Air Conditioning with Air Source Heat Pump versus Conventional Air Conditioning (3-ton system)
Financial Incentives and Rebates Update
Massachusetts is great place to be for consumers and builders when it comes to financial incentives and rebates for various residential projects. An assortment of programs that are utility sponsored and/or state-run provide financial aid to help increase residential energy efficiency. This not only saves people money but should also make single-family and multi-family dwellings more comfortable. There are also currently a host of tax credits and incentives that can be found at an easy-to-use web site listed below.
Brief updates and links are provided for the following programs:
- Mass Save – https://www.masssave.com/en/saving/residential-rebates
- MA CEC (Clean Energy Center) – https://www.masscec.com/get-clean-energy/residential
- MA DOER (Dept. of Energy Resources) – https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-energy-resources
- Federal & State Tax Incentives – http://www.dsireusa.org/
Mass Save
The main programs offered by Mass Save provide incentives and rebates for New Home Construction, Renovations & Additions, Weatherization, and Heating and Cooling Equipment.
New Home Construction – As indicated in previous updates this program is used by primarily by builders of new homes. However, anyone building a new home is eligible. A rebate amount is determined by overall increased energy efficiency above the average MA home. Rebate amounts average $1,700 for single-family and about $900 for multi-family homes. It is worth noting that the installation of Air Source Heat Pump heating and cooling systems as a substitute for conventional heating and cooling equipment significantly increases the rebate amounts above the averages and allows builders to meet HERS 55 much more easily.
Renovations and Additions Program – A new program that started late in 2018 is MA Residential New Construction Renovations & Additions Program. Most residential renovation and addition projects at single-family and multi-family homes with three stories or less are eligible if they are located within Program Sponsor service territories. Whether you are a builder or homeowner, its best to start by calling 1-800-628-8413 or email RenovateAddMA@icf.com. HERS Raters are required for participation and can be very helpful in maximizing the rebate amount. For more information visit
Weatherization – This long-standing program provides homeowners 75% to 100% off new insulation, plus no-cost air sealing of leaks in drafty areas of your home.
Heating & Cooling Equipment – There has been a shift to incentivize higher efficiency equipment for heating and cooling. An example is significantly increased rebates for Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) and central air conditioning. This has contributed to MA CEC’s recent decision to end their rebate for ASHPs.
NEEP Launches New Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Product List Website
Back in January of 2015, NEEP launched a new program and specification to more effectively differentiate air source heat pumps capable of high performance in cold-climate applications. This has become the go-to list for contractors, homeowners, and builders who want to install cost-effective, high-capacity systems that are approved by utility and state sponsored rebate programs. The web site makes equipment selection much easier than was using the old list and you can know you are getting the best equipment.
Upcoming Events
Cold Climate Heat Pump at Work
Check out this video proving that cold climate heat pumps work in extreme cold in January in Illinois.
