The Inflation Reduction Act introduced several financial incentives for homeowners wanting to make energy efficient upgrades. Some of the largest credits and rebates are for heat pumps. So, what’s a heat pump and what’s the federal tax credit available?

What’s a Heat Pump

A heat pump doesn’t burn fuel. Instead, it uses electricity to move warm air in or out of your home. Meaning a heat pump both heats and cools your home. It basically functions like a combined air conditioner and furnace. There are a number of different types of heat pumps available. A whole house heat pump is made up of two components with the heat pump installed outside and an air handler installed inside your home. These two parts work in conjunction to distribute warm air throughout the house during cold months or to remove heat and humidity from your home during hot months.

Heat Pump Fast facts

• Environmentally, running a heat pump can significantly reduce carbon dioxide by over 50%.
• Heat pumps have become more widespread due to their energy efficiency and minimal installation requirements. They can also be used as a supplement to your existing HVAC system.
• Having good insulation and sealing any air leaks is important with a heat pump. With poor insulation or numerous air leaks, you’ll notice air drafts and cold spots more often. The good news is that if you’re an APS customer, you’ll be able to insulate your pocket with a $250 rebate. SRP residential electric customers can get a rebate up to $600.
• A heat pump is two to four times more energy efficient than an electric furnace.
• Most heat pumps generate only 40-50 decibels which is between the sound of a bird chirping to normal conversation noise.

Heat Pump Tax Credit

Beginning in 2023 through the end of 2032, homeowners are eligible for a 30% federal tax credit on the total cost of purchasing and installing a new heat pump. The maximum eligible credit is $2,000, the home must be in the U.S., and be an existing home that you improve on or add-on, not a new home.

Would you like to learn more about the benefits of purchasing and installing a heat pump? Call your experts at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating today at 480-968-5652 to schedule an appointment.

Keeping your house warm during the winter months in Arizona can be costly. According to Energy.gov, heating your home typically costs about 29% of your monthly utility bill. Before you start flinching at what your next month’s heating bill will be, Bruce’s has six helpful ways to save money on home heating costs. You’ll be able to reduce your energy bill while still keeping your house warm and cozy.

1. Get an Energy Audit

It’s not always easy to determine where your home may be losing heat. Windows, door frames, inadequate insulation, and open chimney vents are four of the top offenders for heat loss. Your professionals at Bruce’s can look for all the places where your house is losing valuable heat and provide a list of recommendations on how to fix them. Best of all, a home energy audit is eligible for a $150 energy efficient home improvement tax credit.

2. Monitor Your Thermostat

One easy way to lower your energy bill is to turn down your thermostat. The magic number is 68 degrees according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Saver website. Turning the thermostat down by seven to 10 degrees when you’re away from home, sleeping, or even at home can save you up to 10% on your annual heating bill.

3. Check and Change Your Air Filters

Increase your indoor air quality, lengthen the lifespan of your HVAC system, and decrease your energy bills by checking and replacing air filters. This is an easy project that can be done each month by replacing dirty, clogged air filters.

4. Turn Down the Water Heater Setting

The hot water heater is one of the primary users of electricity or gas in your house. Turning down the temperature setting to 120 degrees or even a bit lower can go a long way towards reducing your heating costs.

5. Open South Facing Drapes, Shades, and Curtains

Keep south-facing drapes, shades, and curtains open during daylight hours to let natural sunlight in to help heat your house.

6. Schedule Preventative Maintenance

The top tip to keep your heating system working optimally is preventative maintenance on your heating system. A heating system that’s inspected, serviced, and repaired properly will use less power and increase system lifespan.

Our Customers are Top Priority

At Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating, we pride ourselves on making our customers the number one priority. If you’re in need of an energy audit, HVAC system maintenance, or other helpful money saving heating tips call us to schedule an appointment today at 480-968-5652.

Veteran’s Day, November 11, pays tribute to all American Veterans, living or deceased, who served our country honorably during war or peacetime. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day.

With temperatures finally starting to drop, it’s time to also think about saving energy and keeping your family comfortable in the Valley of the Sun. Here are some efficient heating tips to stay warm and save money during the upcoming cooler months.

Keep Your Chimney Closed
If your house has a fireplace, don’t forget to keep the damper closed when it’s not being used. You might also want to think about purchasing a chimney balloon, an inflatable device that goes inside the chimney, to help keep cold air outside and warm air from escaping up the chimney. It’s only designed to be used when the chimney is not in use.

Seal Cracks and Ducts

Doors and windows account for the majority of heat loss during cooler weather months. Installing weather stripping and caulking cracks can save you up to 10% on heating expenses. Leaks in ductwork add up to an additional 25% to 30% of heating loss. This is a great opportunity to have your local HVAC professionals conduct an energy audit to discover all the areas where warm air is leaking outdoors. Plus, $150 of the energy audit is eligible for a tax credit on your federal taxes.

Ceiling Fans

You can adjust your ceiling fans to help save additional energy. All you need to do is flip the switch to spin the blades clockwise. This will push warm air near the ceiling back down to the floor.

Adjust the Temperature Down

You’ll want to switch over the thermostat setting to either heat or to the heat and cool setting. 68 degrees is the best setting for saving energy during the cooler months. Lowering the setting when you’re away or asleep below this setting will save up to an additional 10% on your heating bills.

Inspect and Replace the HVAC Air Filter

Dirty air filters restrict airflow and increase energy usage. A clean air filter can save an additional 4% to 6% on utility bills. It will help prolong the life of your furnace along with twice-yearly servicing.

Contact Bruce’s

Bruce’s has over 50 years of HVAC experience serving customers in Arizona. Call us anytime at 480-968-5652 for professional, quality heating and cooling service.

A heartfelt thank you to all our veterans for your service to our country from Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating.

Fortunately, throughout Chandler and the Valley, we don’t have to deal with extreme winter weather very often. But energy efficiency is still key in making certain your energy bill doesn’t balloon to excessive heights when the temperature dips. Follow these easy tips to get your HVAC system ready for the Arizona winter which can make a world of difference to make it through the short heating season.

Visually Inspect Your Outdoor Unit

Before chilly evening and early morning temperatures hit, you’ll want to do a brief check around the HVAC unit outside. You’ll want to make certain the area around the unit is free of any debris such as branches, shrubs, tall grasses, and weeds. Remove any large rocks or gravel that may be blocking vents.

Change Air Filters

Air filters play a critical role in keeping your HVAC system running efficiently. Checking and changing out the air filters on a regular schedule can help prevent your system from working harder, using more energy, and potentially breaking down. If you haven’t already, replace all your air filters before you turn on your heater. This will help minimize dust, mold, and other particulates being forced through your system and into your inside air.

Schedule Air Duct Cleaning

Have you noticed any unusual smells, atypical sounds, or excessive dust emitting from your indoor air vents? Your home’s air duct system, like your air filters, needs to be regularly cleaned. Dust and debris that ended up in your air conditioning unit due to summer monsoon thunderstorms and dust storms can be in the ductwork. By scheduling air duct cleaning with Bruce’s, we’ll thoroughly inspect and clean the air ducts. This will improve your indoor air quality and increase the lifespan of your Chandler home’s HVAC system.

Check Thermostat Settings

Check your thermostat settings to make sure it has been switched over from cool to heat. The

thermostat’s fan setting should be set on “Auto” to avoid blowing cool air through the vents. This allows the thermostat to modulate indoor temperatures without using excessive energy.

Contact Bruce’s Heating and Cooling Professionals

Looking to prepare your heating unit for the cooler winter months? Contact our expert technicians for a duct cleaning appointment at 480-968-5652. We have extensive experience performing full HVAC system inspections to ensure your heating system is working optimally and well-prepared for winter.