- Installing a Heat Pump and Air Filters for Comfort, Health, and Energy Savings
- Vince and Marianne installed a heat pump system with high efficiency air filters. The system keeps their home comfortable year round regardless of the outside temperature. As senior citizens, Vince and Marianne are vulnerable to high outdoor temperatures. Aging brains are slow to sense rising temperatures, and aging bodies do not respond quickly enough to avoid harm. Conditions like diabetes and common medications like antihistamines also lower the amount of heat that can be handled. When outdoor temperatures rise above 28oC, Vince and Marianne follow their heat preparedness plan to stay safe.
- Vince is happy the house is 22oC when the front porch is 50oC
(Photo Credit M. Fourt, 2022) Vince and Marianne accessed incentives and grants from several programs that covered over 70% of the costs of installing the heat pump. To qualify for the incentives and grants an energy assessment was completed. The energy assessment recommended installation of a heat pump system, additional attic insulation and taking steps to reduce heat from the sun shining through windows and skylights. They were pleased to find that installing solar film on their kitchen skylight made a noticeable reduction in glaring heat. With all the work done to date their 15 year old home uses 10% less energy than a brand new home, saving them money and reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
Marianne stays cool thanks to solar film on her skylight and a new heat pump.
(Photo Credit D. Fourt, 2022) Marianne had a high efficiency filter installed in the heat pump air handler. She has asthma and is sensitive to slash burning and forest fire smoke. Since the new heat pump was installed over nine months ago, she has not had to use her rescue puffer. This has improved her quality of life, so she can literally breathe easier. Vince and Marianne have not stopped telling their friends and neighbours how much they like their new system, inspiring four neighbours to install similar systems.
Energy Werx did the energy assessment. Service XCEL installed the heat pump system. Island Solar Films installed the solar film. The grants and incentives were from the following programs: Better Homes Rebates (BC rebates), Greener Homes Grant (federal rebates), and Home Energy Efficiency Rebates (City of Nanaimo).
Thank you, Vince and Marianne Fourt, for sharing your story.
We are thrilled that Vince & Marianne are benefitted from all of these upgrades, especially their heat pump! Thank you for sharing this article. I am going to pass it along others in similar circumstances to help them see that they too can improve the comfort level of their own homes and do it in a more affordable way.