It can certainly be frustrating when you feel like your home isn't as energy-efficient as it could be. For one homeowner, they became upset when their heat pump was seemingly unable to keep up with their heating demands. 

They took to r/homeowners in search of answers and to gauge the community's thoughts on heat pumps.  

"Our two story is set at 70 degrees (on both units), and when I wake up it's 63 in the house," the original poster said. "It has been about 30 degrees outside lately. Is this normal?"

Instead of using a fuel source to generate heat, heat pumps move heat from one place to another using a refrigerant cycle. This can be significantly more efficient while also reducing your reliance on dirty fuels, such as gasoline and propane. 

However, heat pumps should be installed with specific climate zones in mind. Selecting the right type of system and ensuring proper sizing to match local heating and cooling needs can make a huge difference.  

When tuned to your regional climate, heat pumps and other upgraded HVAC systems can help you save up to 50% on heating costs — and reduce cooling costs in the summer. 

TCD's HVAC Explorer can help you find an affordable HVAC system that is the perfect fit for your home and your budget, including $0-down subscription options. 

Down in the comments section of the original post, many users were quick to establish some facts about heat pumps.  

"It's no different from air conditioning," noted one commenter. "If your system is designed to be sufficient on an 85-degree day, it won't be able to keep up on a 100-degree day. The technology isn't the problem."

"That means it isn't sized right for your house," shared another user. "I use one in NW WI without any issue down to 10F. Then I switch to wood. I ripped out my gas central heat when I remodeled my home 6 years ago and haven't looked back."

Do you feel like your HVAC system works as well as it should? Definitely 😎 Most of the time 👍 Sometimes 😬 Not at all 🫠 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

If you're ready to upgrade your HVAC, check out TCD's HVAC Explorer to connect with a number of trusted partners, including Palmetto, which can make it easy to upgrade your HVAC with just about any budget in mind and slash your heating and cooling costs by up to half. 

You can even lock in a new HVAC system for $0 down and subscription lease payments as low as $99 a month. You'll be able to enjoy 12 years of free maintenance while also potentially reducing your overall lifetime costs on the system. 

Upgraded HVAC systems can put even more money back in your pocket when paired with solar panels on your home. You can take advantage of TCD's Solar Explorer to connect with vetted installers and save up to $10,000 on solar installations by curating competitive bids. 

Meanwhile, the free Palmetto Home app can help you unlock up to $5,000 in rewards to spend on home upgrades by completing easy energy-saving challenges. 

The app can also help you track and manage your home's energy usage, which can go a long way in increasing your energy efficiency.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.