Heat Pump or Gas Furnace?

[wyounger]

Not with those electric rates :-/

That's why few people in California even know what a heat pump is; they're unheard of out there. The climate is perfect for them, but the electric rates pretty well ruin the equation, so they are exceedingly rare in that area.

[Toolpusher]

Originally posted by dan sw fl

Originally posted by Toolpusher
Heat pumps are cheaper to operatethen gas , down to a given outdoor temp. If it's a newer unit, I'll add.
That given number depends on location, up north it may be about 40*, down south it could be 25*

In a Northern climate, the heat pump balance point may be as low as 22ªF, whereas in a southern climate it may be close to 31ªF due to amount of insulation and total window area and U-value.

Modern heat pump will be MUCH[*] cheaper in nearly all of Eastern U.S.

* NY or ... > $0.16 /kW .. a little cheaper)

I was just tussing numbers out for a thought of interest.
Not trying to be "to the tee"

I guess on here you have to be,

most H/O'ers that post here, aren't worried about the areas of the country that don't pertain to them, they just want general info to get quick answeres and go.

from what I see anyway, they don't stick around to continue the post.

I didn't think about air being a regular,

[Edited by Toolpusher on 01-27-2006 at 10:34 PM]

[tulsatwisters]

I come from Sacramento and not being an expert on all of California, I will state only what I know to be true. Most systems in the Sacramento area are heat pumps.

[stdaniel]

First time poster (homeowner) with a few questions since this is the first time I've heard or read anything about using dual fuel systems.

1. It sounds like a system like this is practical in my area (central North Carolina). Are there any disadvantages to replacing the A/C portion of the system with a heatpump (and all of the associated controls)?
2. Is retrofit possible and/or practical? My 10 year old (90% efficiency) furnace was recently serviced and given an excellent bill of health. Will the efficiency of the heatpump be hurt too much in a retrofit?


Thanks for the input!

[pecmsg]

stdaniel

Do a search on “Duel Fuel” it’s been discussed before. With the rising costs of gas and oil, Yes it’s something to consider.

[wyounger]

Originally posted by wyounger
Not with those electric rates :-/

That's why few people in California even know what a heat pump is; they're unheard of out there. The climate is perfect for them, but the electric rates pretty well ruin the equation, so they are exceedingly rare in that area.

OK, sorry... I should have specified Southern California. I never spent any time in central/northern parts of the state to know about things there. I still have to say I'm surprised that there are heat pumps up there, though, with current electric rates. I guess the Oregon/Washington power imports are cheaper when less distribution is required!

[air2spare]

2. Is retrofit possible and/or practical? My 10 year old (90% efficiency) furnace was recently serviced and given an excellent bill of health. Will the efficiency of the heatpump be hurt too much in a retrofit?


Thanks for the input! [/B][/QUOTE]


A water source heatpump would be the ultimate saver for you if you have a high water table.