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worstatit t1_j1lsiw5 wrote

This is a result of electrification of residential heating systems (very inefficient at these temperatures), and green electricity sources unable to fulfill demand. Interesting to me, many industrial/business users will curtail usage this weekend anyway, would seem to offset heating demand? You could do like most people and use what you want until it goes out.

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Mijbr090490 t1_j1lxi2r wrote

Electric heat is still 100% efficient at these temps. A heat pump may not be giving you the 300% efficiency it normally would, but it's still more efficient than alternatives.

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NerdyRedneck45 t1_j1m028b wrote

This is true, but a lot of folks have switched from fossil fuels to heat pumps recently (myself included.) Efficient and environmentally friendly but it’s still a grid load that wasn’t there before. My old oil system would have bankrupted me this winter but it barely used any electricity.

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Mijbr090490 t1_j1m1ao6 wrote

Yeah, I'm not arguing it isn't an added strain on the grid but to call them inefficient is wrong. I want to get rid of my oil furnace and get a heat pump. I got a quote but I'm waiting until there is more clarification from the federal government in regards to HEEHRA. Bought 200 gallons this year. Hoping it lasts. This cold snap is putting a dent in it though.

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NerdyRedneck45 t1_j1makuo wrote

If you’re looking for a good affordable alternative, I bought my own from Alpine Air for $5k instead of the $20k the local installers wanted. 90% of it is doable yourself, someone just needs to come charge it with refrigerant.

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Mijbr090490 t1_j1me0cf wrote

Ive installed a bunch of systems and have my EPA 608 certificate. I know I can install it and have no issues, but I won't get the warranty. A highly reputable vendor that does work for my company quoted me at 7500 for a trane 14 SEER unit. My carrier oil furnace is not old, so I'm opting to keep it for back up heat or else I'd go to a higher SEER.

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worstatit t1_j1lykcc wrote

Heat pumps lose much efficiency at 40 degrees, substantially so at 28 degrees. We're at 13 here, after hitting 1 degree for the last 24 hours. Throw in some high winds.

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Mijbr090490 t1_j1lznq3 wrote

Technically true, but they maintain 100% efficiency. Modern cold weather and geothermal units can handle these conditions with no sweat.

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worstatit t1_j1m3uxt wrote

Perhaps. My experience with geothermal is peripheral with an older commercial system. The original bid called for an auxiliary heat boiler, the geothermal guy claimed it was unnecessary. It was left out, then installed at far greater cost later on after the geothermal continuously burned up pumps and blew breakers every winter. I believe the cold weather units you refer to carry conventional heaters.

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Electrical-Wish-519 t1_j1lzex0 wrote

This is the result of us sharing our energy with our neighboring states. We produce third most electricity in the country to offset other states that don’t have the same capacity.

Everywhere is cold in the us. They’re asking us to cut back to help out our neighbors

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worstatit t1_j1m6za7 wrote

I'm fine with helping. What they're saying though is "cut back or we'll cut you off".

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Electrical-Wish-519 t1_j1mdssv wrote

They’re saying “cut back or we won’t have enough and there will be brown outs”

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BukkakeKing69 t1_j1max3z wrote

Yes, that's what happens when people use more than is produced.

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Keynova81 t1_j1lypav wrote

You are misinformed. Green energy is additive. It does not take away from the grids ability to meet demand, despite republicans favorite talking point. BTW if you want to see what the grid is burning today, go onto PJMs web site

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jirenlagen t1_j1m4274 wrote

How long do you think they will shut it off?

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worstatit t1_j1m7f4e wrote

If they do it, they'll cycle it around a couple hours at a time. Calculated to not cause weather related damage. Worst part, many won't know if it's a rolling blackout and likely to end soon, or a regular outage of unknown duration.

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jirenlagen t1_j1mfpnd wrote

I’m petty so regardless I’ll call multiple times an hour. Annoy them enough maybe they’ll learn not to do it.

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SecurelyObscure t1_j1mj0o8 wrote

The alternative to rolling brown outs is full on black outs. Stop wasting call center people's time.

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