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lottabigbluewater OP t1_j6i4b3m wrote

Reply to comment by Unique-Public-8594 in who recently got a heating oil bill? by lottabigbluewater

May I ask about your square footage? $300/month for heating in December is much, much less than I paid in oil. Are you glad you took the leap to getting a heat pump? I'm sure your long term savings are going to be absolutely worth it, but I'm also sure that monthly payment hurts right now...

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Unique-Public-8594 t1_j6i4nh3 wrote

We are very glad (shocked at our relatively low electric bill) but next week’s temperatures will be the true test and that cost won’t show up in billing til next month.

Added sf as edit. 1400sf mostly open. 2 bedrooms but neither has a door, one bedroom is tiny so door would get in the way, other bedroom is more of an open loft to stairway, low no-dormered upstairs peaked ceiling. Huge, antique windows on south facing side: very leaky but lots of passive solar though. We need to get Button-up Vermont in here but have delayed due to covid.

So… $300/mo loan, plus $300 electric heat/appliances/lighting.

Feeling positive about getting off fossil fuel and onto electric since Vermont doesn’t use fossil fuel for their electric grid. Thank you, Vermont.

We had an old antique pot-belly wood stove but it was creating smoke indoors so we removed it. Very happy to have cleaner air quality.

Heat pump was noisy at first but it was an easy fix, it was a loose filter.

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ryan10e t1_j6imzs4 wrote

Vermont may not use fossil fuels for electricity, but ISO New England does generate around 40% of its electricity from gas, tiny amount from coal, plus imports from NYISO and New Brunswick. That said, your heating related emissions are still probably 10x lower with the heat pump than from gas/oil. Can’t wait to join the heat pump gang.

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ImpossibleMeatDonut t1_j6mhu4n wrote

It’s been a long time since I had to worry about a heat pump. However, if I remember, heat pumps can only heat at certain temperatures. Once it gets below like 20 ( honestly can’t remember the cut off temp ), the emergency heat kicks in. That’s when your electric bill will go up considerably. Again, my knowledge is probably limited and out dated.

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Careful_Square1742 t1_j6mkuy6 wrote

depends how you're set up. ducted heat pumps can run down to sub-zero temps. When paired with a condensing gas furnace (LP or natural), the heat pump shuts off and switches to fossil fuel around 20 degrees, meaning heating above 20F is done by the heat pump which is incredibly efficient.

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you're probably thinking of electric resistance heating (like a giant toaster). Those aren't even allowed in VT anymore in commercial buildings under VT Energy Code (except VERY specific cases).

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Unique-Public-8594 t1_j6mmnn4 wrote

Thanks for your response.

Ours has an auxiliary heating coil for colder temps.

It was bitter cold in December but the electric bill was manageable. But also we’ll see what the Jan and Feb cost us. So, so far I’m a fan. I know, people are saying it will be broken and no parts available in 2 years. We’ll see.

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Careful_Square1742 t1_j6mzmi5 wrote

I wouldn't worry too much - I think the people saying it'll die and you can't get parts are the outliers. I've got one in my house going on year 4 with zero issues beyond a loose nut that was making noise. it'll make heat without issue Friday night when it's crazy cold.

I used to be in commercial HVAC and oversaw installation of literally thousands of heat pump systems in VT. we serviced thousands more and maybe had a dozen lemons. that's a pretty good ratio. parts availability since 2020 has been problematic, but that's across the board from cars to refrigerators. it's getting better. overall, heat pumps are pretty reliable if you take care of them.

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ImpossibleMeatDonut t1_j6msam3 wrote

You are right, I was thinking of the electric resistance heating. Thanks for the clarification.

We lived in an apartment that had the electric baseboard heat. For our tiny apartment, we regularly got $250+ electric bills in the winter. There was a lot wrong in that apartment though, including single pane windows.

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