Fall is the time of year to consider making your home cozier and more comfortable for the cold weather — and the last chance to upgrade your heating system or improve weatherization before winter. “If your heating unit runs constantly or if your home is drafty or cold in spots, you might consider upgrading it, weatherizing your home, or both,” said DuWayne Dunham, lead energy counselor for Clark Public Utilities.
The utility offers incentives to help customers upgrade heating systems, increase insulation and other efficiency measures, Dunham said. Heat pump rebates vary based on the efficiency and type of heat pump, and what sort of system is being replaced.
If you’re looking to replace an electric furnace or an older heat pump, you might consider a variable speed heat pump. The “variable” means the heating unit can change its operating speed. “Variable speed heat pumps can cost more than standard heat pumps, but they are quieter, more efficient and typically have a longer lifespan,” Dunham explained. Better efficiency translates to less energy use during the life of a VSHP, and savings on electric heating costs for the homeowner.
Variable speed units match their heating or cooling effort to the real load needed. They adjust the heating and cooling output need based on the demand within the home. They can run from “full load” (100 percent) down to a “partial load” (about 40 percent).
Usually, homes need the full load only when heating on the coldest winter days or cooling during the hottest parts of summer. Other times, the variable-speed unit “senses” that a home needs less capacity and adjusts itself to run at the right level.
If your home is drafty with hot and cold spots, a new heating system might help, but you may have a weatherization opportunity also. Insulating your home, sealing around doors and windows, and replacing old windows are all potentially worthwhile investments. Weatherization updates vary in cost and are a proven long-term strategy for lowering your heating and cooling costs, while improving your home’s comfort.
After you’ve caulked and plugged all the places air can escape your home, you might want to upgrade your insulation. If your home is electrically heated, Clark Public Utilities offers incentives for improving your insulation, ranging from 20 cents a square foot for attic insulation to 60 cents for wall insulation.
All incentives apply to existing and manufactured homes that are electrically heated. Dunham suggests that before starting any heating system upgrades or weatherization improvements, people call the energy counselor line (360-992-3355) anytime during business hours.
“All of our energy counselors have training to help customers determine which upgrades will make the most sense and prioritize them for the most comfort and savings,” Dunham said.
Dunham noted that the one incentive that’s going away Jan. 1, 2017, is the $20 credit for recycling refrigerators and freezers. The utility will still schedule pick-up and free recycling, but there will no longer be a bill credit. “If you’re storing a working fridge or freezer that’s ready to retire, give us a call before the end of the year at 360-992-3000, and we’ll come and get it,” said Dunham.
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.
