How do you feel about a heat pump with a propane backup for my house in MD? Has anyone converted. I am wondering if it saves money compared to a new high efficient heat pump. Just wanted to see if anyone notices a usage decrease.
Lorax808
Compare the cost of 1 million btu's of heat for propane vs heat pump vs electric resistance.
Heat pump w/electricity at 16 cents per kw-hr delivered, C.O.P. = 3.25 at 35F:
(1,000,000 / 3414) x .16 / 3.25
= $14.42
Resistance electric heat w/same rate:
= $46.86
Propane at $2 per gallon, 90% efficient furnace:
(1,000,000 / 91,000) x 2 / .9
= $24.42.
Insert your own costs and efficiencies for a more accurate cost comparison.
In the above example, the heat pump is 40% cheaper than the propane furnace for the same 1 million btu's of heat. As the ambient temp increases from the 35F example, the C.O.P. increases, and the heat pump is even cheaper to run.
The cost of a defrost cycle is not accounted for in the above.
Take care.