Help! Confused about propane and heat pumps!

[kmarzec]

I currently have a 3,000 square foot home heated by propane. The bills are enormous in the winter! I have been doing a lot of reading about converting to a heat pump and keeping my propane secondary. Does anyone have any suggestions for this? In the past, heat pumps were always getting a "bad" rap. However, I believe they are made much more efficient now. I only use propane for heat.

Has anyone done this and can comment on their satisfaction level with the heat pump? Does the heat pump run continuously? Have you seen a decline in your monthly expenses? Do you feel that your home is warm?

I am sorry if these questions sounds elementary, but I am such a novice when it comes to this. Thank you for any information!

[badtlc]

Heat Pump with propane furnace backup is a great idea for your situation. My parents have the same setup with a carrier performance heat pump and 93% efficient propane furnace and love it.

How long the heat pump will run cannot just be answered. It will depend on the outside temperatures, heat loss of your home, and capacity of the heat pump. On average, the heat pump should be able to handle the heating of your home down to around 30 degrees. Your propane would only run during the really cold stretches and you'd save a ton in the fall and spring seasons and a fair amount during winter, too. Sometimes, a heat pump can carry a house down to 15-20 degrees saving even more money.

In order to form a good answer, you need to find your electric rates, the cost of propane (per gallon), the efficiency of whatever propane furnace you want to use, and find out if your electric company will provide you a rate reduction for having a heat pump (many do). You might need a new furnace to guarantee performance ratings of the heat pump, though.

If you can bring back that information, you can start getting a grasp of how much $$$ you can potentially save.

[WhoIsThat?]

1.1 gal of propane,
29 kwh of elec heat,
8.4 kwh of heat pump heat (COP = 3.5),
4.2 kwh of heat pump heat (COP = 6.9)

[gary_g]

Dual-fuel systems can be a great way to go.

What are you paying for propane (in $$ per gallon)?

What is your delivered cost of electricity? Delivered price = generation + transmission + distribution.

Note that a heat pump does not put out the 120F+ air temp that a furnace does. To some people that's a big deal. To others, no big deal.

Take care.


Edit: I live in Harford County, MD, and have an all-electric home with a new heat pump. BGE's delivered rates are about $.15 per kw-hr. I switched to Washington Gas and Electric to save about 1.5 cents per kw-hr.

[Paul Bee]

What about a Ground Loop heat pump? I would see if any contractors in the area are doing these and get an estimate. Initial installation will be more money but very efficient to operate. I thought that a lot of contractors near the east coast did boilers with radiators.

[beenthere]

Whats your electric rate, and whats your LP cost.

[Plegra9]

I am new to the site. I am looking at buying either a Heil 14.5 seer or an Amana 15.0 Seer. Does anyone have an opinion on which is best?

[beenthere]

Please start your own thread, instead of hi jacking someone elses.

[platchford]

I have a dual-fuel setup as well... except I have oil rather than propane. You'd think living in Baltimore that natural gas would be available... nope. I am very happy with my dual-fuel system and yes, it will save you money. How much really depends on the current prices for electricity (nearly $0.16 now for BGE) and propane which tend to vary from year to year. The company I work for installs Heat Pumps with Propane Furnaces quite often in this area. How many furnaces do you currently have for your home? I'm assuming you have at least two for a 3,000 sq ft house.

If you would like more information on your options feel free to email me... my address is in my profile.

[larobj63]

I have dual fuel with heat Pump and Propane 2-stage furnace as back up. Love it. Saving money like crazy, and I feel like I got central air as a free bonus.

[larobj63]

Please start your own thread, instead of hi jacking someone elses.

I am quite hungry. Should I get a sub, or have pizza (again)? :LOL:

[beenthere]

I am quite hungry. Should I get a sub, or have pizza (again)? :LOL:

:whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :whistle:

[gary_g]

Kirk:

I replied to your e-mail.

Take care.