Solar can heat & cool your home and can be stored for backup power.
Solar isn't a one trick pony. When combined with various compatible technologies (all of which ReVision installs), solar can help your home or business become more efficient and less costly.
Solar can heat and cool your home for less.
Today, efficient air source heat pumps are the system of choice for both new construction and existing homes to heat and cool efficiently, with or without solar energy. An air source heat pump uses the same technology as a geothermal heat pump, but since it uses ambient air as its source it is a much simpler project and, as a result, a smaller upfront investment.
Heat pumps have been used for decades in the Southern states, but thanks to dramatic improvements in their low-temperature performance, they are now being rapidly adopted in the Northeast. The latest generation of heat pumps can work in temperatures as low as -17 Fahrenheit.
The vast majority of systems we install are ductless, consisting of an outside compressor/evaporator and an inside air handler. The units are connected using copper refrigerant line; we triple evacuate the lines with a deep vacuum and dry nitrogen purge before charging them with an advanced refrigerant for the most efficient and reliable installation.
Based on current grid electricity prices, it costs the equivalent of around $2.30/gallon of oil to heat with a heat pump, and using solar, as little as $0.84/gallon! In cooling mode, a modern heat pump is roughly 1/2 the operating cost of a window unit air conditioner.
New England Heating Fuel Cost Comparison
The chart below compares average heating costs for different heating sources. Using recent average fuel prices in ME, MA, and NH, we can compare these fuel sources by calculating their cost per million BTU (a unit of heat). You can see that it’s a lot more cost-effective for heat pumps to generate the same amount of heat as propane or oil heater, especially when powered by solar.
| Fuel Source | Cost per Unit | Cost per Million BTUs* |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Pump Powered by Solar | $0.08 / kWh | $9.40 |
| Heat Pump Powered by Grid | $0.21 / kWh | $24.60 |
| Propane (2022 NE average) | $3.89 / gallon | $53.30 |
| Heating Oil (2022 NE average) | $4.95 / gallon | $54.90 |
*Assumes typical oil boiler operating at 65% efficiency, propane at 80% efficiency, and heat pump at 250% efficiency (COP of 2.5). Solar PV kilowatt-hour cost of 8 cents per kilowatt-hour over 25-year timeframe based on typical pricing economics of a 8.5kw + system. Economics are estimates and subject to the local cost of oil, propane, and electricity.
Learn more about heat pumps on our dedicated page: Solar-Powered Heat Pumps
