Heating for homes and businesses accounts for 12% of CO₂ emissions in the US.

Many homes in the area have traditionally used oil or natural gas for heating, but some residents have begun the transition to 100% renewable energy for home heating. If you're planning to upgrade your home's furnace or boiler soon, find out more below about heating options that do not use heating oil or natural gas. If your home relies on natural gas, find out about ways you can obtain natural gas from renewable sources.

Already switched? Great! We are eager to hear how residents have made the transition to 100% renewable energy. Click here to share your story.

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Renewable Natural Gas

If your home uses natural gas for heating, you can choose a gas supplier that provides renewable natural gas (RNG) by capturing methane produced by landfills and other sources. Choosing a renewable natural gas option for home heating does not require any changes to your gas lines or appliances, and signing up for RNG takes only a few minutes.

The Energy Co-op provides an option to select renewable natural gas for PECO customers in our area. Find out more on their website.

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Air-source Heat Pumps

Electric heating is usually the only environmentally sustainable option, because even natural gas emits significant methane. Air-source heat pumps are an efficient and economical option whether your home uses hot water radiators/baseboards or forced air. These systems work by extracting heat from outside air (even when it’s cold outside!) to warm the air inside. Many systems also work in reverse, transferring heat from inside to outside to provide air conditioning in the summer. If you currently use heating oil, an electric heat pump may cost less to operate.

If you're planning to upgrade your home's furnace or boiler soon, consider an air-source heat pump instead of a gas- or oil-based system. There are different types of heat pumps depending on whether your home uses forced air or radiators/baseboards.

• Forced-air systems: If you already have ductwork in your house, a ducted heat pump system can replace your existing oil- or gas-fired furnace.
• Ductless systems: If you do not have ductwork and use radiators/baseboards for heating, you can supplement or replace your existing system by installing a ductless mini-split system.

Here are a few options for heat pumps that Narberth residents have chosen for home heating and cooling. Note: The list below is not an endorsement of any particular manufacturer or contractor; these are simply companies that Narberth residents have chosen for their home heat pumps.

• Mitsubishi Mr. Slim: These are ductless mini-split systems that can be used in homes that currently rely on oil- or gas-fired boilers. Some models are available with a hyper heat option that provide heat even with an outside temperature of -13° F.
• Daikin Ductless Mini-split: This is another mini-split system that Narberth residents have chosen. Models are available that provide heating down to an outside temperature of 5° F.

Contractors that Narberth residents have chosen for home heat pump installations include Haller Enterprises, Orange Energy Solutions, and Unique Indoor Comfort.

Are you a Narb/Nearb with an electric heat pump system powered by renewable electricity? If so, we would love to hear about your experience and anything you can share with the community. Please send us a message!

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