So, you’re wanting to make your home more energy efficient… great! Now you’ve just got to determine which energy saving solution is best for your property. You’re likely to end up deciding between either insulation or heat pumps.

Heat Pumps

Advantages

• Efficient at converting energy to heat
• Can provide heating or cooling
• Provides desired temperatures relatively quickly

Disadvantages

There are a few disadvantages of installing a heat pump. The first of these is that you are not guaranteed a reduction in overall heating costs. In fact, studies have shown that installing a heat pump is actually more likely to increase costs rather than reduce them. Annual maintenance is also required to keep them running most efficiently. Thirdly, heat pumps use fans to distribute the air while in operation, which can cause unwanted draughts and noise.

Insulation

Advantages

• Likely to reduce heating costs
• No maintenance required
• Keeps home warm in winter and cool in summer

Disadvantages

The main drawback of home insulation compared to heat pumps is that there is a higher initial installation cost. However, because insulation reduces heating and cooling bills, many people find that the insulation will actually pay for itself within a year! Secondly, issues may arise if the insulation is installed poorly, or without proper knowledge. This can lead to the insulation not performing as well as it should, meaning your home will be less efficient. For this reason, we recommend contacting the professionals to install your home insulation for you, rather than doing it yourself.

Conclusion

So the question remains, which is best, insulation or heat pumps? Well, it may surprise you that many people actually decide to get both. It is worth noting however that installing a heat pump does not actually negate the need for insulation. Studies have shown that homes with poor insulation (or none at all) are far less efficient even if they have a heat pump installed. A good first step may be to arrange a home insulation assessment. This will help you to determine how much insulation your property will need (if any), and how much it is likely to cost. At Bay Energy Solutions, we offer these home assessments absolutely free. If your home is located in the Bay of Plenty, Waikato or Auckland regions, you can get in touch any time to book in a visit. We are also currently offering 40% off home insulation, so you are guaranteed the best prices in town.