A local electrician is advising consumers to do their homework before having a heat pump or mini-split installed.
The provincial government is now accepting applications from homeowners in a pilot project offering up to $1,000 for eligible candidates to purchase a heat pump or mini-split.
Scott Furlong is an electrician who assists with the installation of mini-split heat pump systems. He says customers don’t always have realistic expectations when it comes to savings. He says some people expect a quick return on savings and that’s not always the case.
While more efficient than baseboard heaters, if you’re using your mini-split for air conditioning in the summer, and your other energy consumption remains high, you may not see a big savings.
He says while every home is different, the average 1,200-1,500 square foot bungalow can expect between $75 and $125 in savings a month.
He advises homeowners to do their homework and monitor your energy use before expecting huge reductions in your energy bill.