Ask the expert

Q: Why is an electric heat pump not a good option for heating my home?

A: An electric heat pump works by capturing heat from the outside air and transferring it to your home. However, when the weather is really cold, there isn’t enough heat energy for the heat pump to keep your home comfortable.

Older heat pumps often supply heated air at 95°F, which is colder than your body temperature.

In contrast, heating oil systems produce much higher indoor air temperatures, guaranteeing that you will keep your home toasty warm even during frigid winters. Highly efficient oil furnaces and oil boilers produce enough thermal energy to heat your home without the need for a backup system, which is pretty much a standard requirement for anyone who has a heat pump.