City Of Bozeman
Home MenuHeating & Cooling
When it comes to keeping your home comfortable, healthy, and safe; HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems are one of the most important factors. HVAC systems are also the largest energy user in homes, heating and cooling makes up over 50% of energy consumption in the average U.S. home.
There are many options for heating and cooling your home, but using a Heat Pump is one of the most energy efficient ways. We always recommend contacting an HVAC contractor when you are thinking about making upgrades or changes.
What is a Heat Pump?
Heat pumps are an all-in-one solution for heating AND cooling. A heat pump works by transferring heat from one place to another using a refrigeration cycle, which allows it to both heat and cool a home.
In the winter, it pulls heat from the outside air or ground and moves it inside; in the summer, it reverses the process by absorbing heat from inside and releasing it outdoors. Heat pumps are one of the most energy efficient heating and cooling systems on the market today; they are typically 2-4 times more efficient than other systems that need to generate heat on their own.
Why Use a Heat Pump?
Year-round solution. Heat pumps provide heating in the winter months and cooling in the summer months.
Increased comfort. Heat pumps provide more steady and consistent heating/cooling.
Energy savings. Heat pumps deliver 2-4 times more heating energy than the electricity they consume.
Indoor air quality. Heat pumps improve indoor air quality by circulating and filtering air in the home.
Safety. Heat pumps do not combust gas directly in the home. Gas combustion generates carbon monoxide and other safety hazards.
Picking the Right Heat Pump
Choosing the right heat pump for your home is important to be able to achieve your home energy and comfort goals. Click through the drop down list below to learn more about the different types of systems.
When selecting heating and cooling equipment always look for EnergyStar©. The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) provides tier ratings for EnergyStar© products to better understand their performance.
Will a Heat Pump Work in Cold Climates?
Yes! Even in cold air, there is still heat available. Heat pump technology has significantly advanced in recent years. Some cold climate heat pumps can operate at temperatures down to -15. When selecting a heat pump, it’s important to ensure you are selecting a cold climate heat pump.
We recommend having a back up heating source (like electric resistance heaters) for the few times a year the temperature drops well below freezing and your heat pump struggles to keep up. If you are retrofitting your home, your existing system may be able to work as a backup. Make sure that your backup heat is only set to kick on when the temperatures drop so it's not competing with the heat pump.
Heat pumps work best in well insulated homes. Evaluating your home’s building envelope and taking steps to weatherize can significantly improve the performance of your heat pump. Weatherization can also be crucial during cold events to keep warmth in, and hopefully decrease the reliance on your backup system.
Rebates, Tax Credits, and Financing
Tax credits for qualifying air-source heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps are currently available through the end of 2025. Through the Inflation Reduction Act, significant rebates are available for heat pump HVAC, electric wiring, weatherization, and more! Learn more about rebates, tax credits, and incentive options.