Kate hadn’t set out to be a homeowner in 2022, but when her daughter and grandson were struggling to find housing, she bought a modest house in Holyoke, hoping to provide her family with a stable home they could later inherit from her.

However, when she moved in that January, she quickly realized her house was not in good enough condition to keep her family comfortable long-term. The house was old, poorly maintained, and cold and drafty in the winter. To make matters worse, the natural gas heating was nearing the end of its lifespan, and the old-fashioned radiators couldn’t keep the house warm. “I just was cold; I had an electric fake fireplace in the bedroom where I was sleeping,” she recounted.

After receiving a no-cost home energy assessment, Kate decided to install heat pumps. Following the guidance of a home energy consultant, she prepared her home for the new system by upgrading her electrical service to accommodate the higher electrical load. By recognizing that her heating was starting to fail, Kate was able to avoid a costly emergency replacement and properly prepare her home for electrification.

In addition to the upgraded electrical, Kate weatherized her home by insulating and air-sealing it to help keep it warm in the winter. She installed a new insulated door in the basement to prevent heat loss. “It’s an old basement, so there was quite a bit of air escaping there. They put in this movie star door down there, it’s fabulous,” she said about her new air-sealed and insulated door.

Kate’s new insulated exterior basement door with weatherstripping on the frame.

Since installing heat pumps and upgrading her home insulation, Kate has experienced a huge difference in the comfort of her home. “The heat is very comfortable, as is the air conditioning…especially because of the insulation, the difference is remarkable. I had no idea it needed that level of insulation.” Thanks to the new insulation, there are fewer drafts in her home, and during the winter Kate doesn’t need to set the temperature as high as before to keep it comfortable. Her bills have been considerably lower than when she used her old furnace.

Kate’s heat pump system has made a dramatic difference in the summer as well. “It’s been so miserable and humid and I’m always just dying to get home,” she said. After living her whole life in buildings without central air conditioning, she is amazed at how quiet the new system is. “Not having a noise in your bedroom window that is like an airplane landing is so fabulous. It’s so quiet.”

Outdoor air-source heat pump condenser units.

Kate loves being able to provide a safe and comfortable home for her and her family. “I think [these home improvements are] a real strength for me and for us in terms of being a homeowner, and just for my grandson living in a home like this. The air is cleaner somehow; it feels that way to me.”  It’s not Kate’s imagination; air-source heat pumps have a built-in filter system that traps mold spores, dust, carpet fibers, and most aerosol particles. They also have a dehumidification system that makes your home’s air drier.

After upgrading her heating, Kate feels more confident about tackling future home improvement projects and remains committed to electrifying her home.  “It has really enhanced the quality of all of our lives here,” Kate said. “It’s the best thing that has happened in a long time.”