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Mijbr090490 t1_j1lxi2r wrote

Reply to comment by worstatit in Asked to conserve electricity on Christmas eve. What is even going on anymore by CoolHandMike

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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