Does anyone have opinions about heat pumps?

[Matariki]

Are they truly more ecological and cheaper to operate than gas or electric?

I live in the Pacific Northwest where is never gets too cold or too hot.

I need a new (gas) furnace. I'm looking at a heat pump w/furnace backup and it's a bit expensive. I'm wondering if it will be worth it...

[BlackHawk706867]

1. Yes they are ecological and cheaper, have had one for two years and it

definitely will save you money. They also act as air conditioning in the summer as well.... My house is located in Fraser Valley, southern BC and really does save me money.... Sometimes if it gets pretty cold in the winter, you might have to start off with normal heat, and then switch back to the heat pump.

ww

[Matariki]

2. thanks so much for the reply.

I think the one I'm getting will start the furnace up automatically if it gets too cold, but I'm not sure.

I have never, ever used air conditioning here in Seattle, it just never gets that hot. Sounds like you are in a similar environment there in BC.

Thanks again.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

3. No, they are NOT more ecological or cheaper.

I assume you are not talking about a Geo thermal heat pump which involves using the heat of the earth to operate.

The rest of the commercially available units are, in fact more expensive to operate.

They are all electric.
Most of them will not produce heat when the temp drops below about 40 degrees F. so they rely on electric heat strips to make up the difference. If you want to watch your electric meter spin really fast, look at it when the heat strips are activated.

A high efficiency gas furnace is far more efficient than a heat pump and since you live north of me, you probably don't need A/C.

I tell you this as someone who has spent 39+ years in the H.V.A.C. industry.

If you would like more info, PM me. As I said, I do this for a living and have for a very long time.

Peace,
Bud

[Matariki]

5. Thanks

The one I'm looking at has a regular gas furnace backup for when the temp drops below 35 degrees. I live in Seattle where that doesn't happen all that often. I definitely don't need air conditioning. I'm also looking at a high efficiency furnace and it's definitely cheaper.

[davidwparker]

7. I have a Trane system with a heat pump. It switches to natural gas

when the temp drops below the threshold of efficiency. It was the 19 seer (?) Trane system with Clean Effects filtering and UV light. That, with the removal of the existing duct work and replacing it with new and 3 programmable keypads cost about as much as a car.

I love it though and I'd recommend a heat pump in the context that I have. Heating/cooling/cooking/washing drying clothes cost $100 combined last month and in the winter is about $150.

Although I spent a lot, I'm saving a lot in utility bills when compared with the heating/cooling system that I replaced when I bought this house.

[Matariki]

10. What does the UV light do?

Why did you need to replace the duct work?

[davidwparker]

15. the UV light kills germs. I replaced duct work because it came with the

original house -- 25 years ago.

Around the registers, it looked like there was dirt or at least the walls looked dirty. Also, the house had one zone and the room above the garage had some duct work that was an after thought from appearances. By replacing the duct work, I had 3 zones created to give each end of the house its own zone and to properly heat/cool the room above the garage. And, the new Trane started out with new duct work.

The guys who took out the original duct work joked about have black lung now if they didn't have it before after taking out the original duct work.

All in all, I'm pleased with my Trane -- especially when its utility bill paying time. With the efficiency that I have now, I pay less in utility bills than in smaller places that I've owned.

[seemunkee]

16. What about ductless mini-split systems?

My house is divided into two zones. The main part of the house uses an oil furnance and the other side has a heat pump. The heat pump is basically for a Mother in law suite, a bedroom and a great room w/kitchen. The heat pump is ~15 years old and will need to be replaced soon. The way the MIL suite was set up we would rather not have the heat pump in its current location and would like to put in a ductless system but I haven't seen a lot of info on them. Whats your opinion of them?

[pscot]

4. I love mine

but I use a woodstove during the coldest periods to prevent the auxiliary electric furnacefrom runnning. WE burn a cord or more of wood each winter. I live west of the Cascades. East of the mountains it might not work so well.

[Matariki]

6. I'm just north of Seattle, it doesn't get too cold here.

What do you love about it? Do you have any info on the 'green factor' of the thing? I'd be willing to shell out the extra money if it's significantly more ecological and if it's cheaper to run. I certainly like the idea of heating my house with little gas or electricity...

[133724]

8. YES I live in Seattle & put one in about 2 years ago....

I used to use approx 620 Gallons of Fuel oil each year approx $1,860 at $3.00 per gallon.

We use approx $135 per month in electricity before we installed the HP. Our winter bill after we installed the HP was $435 for 2 months. This makes our winter heating bill at approximately $900 for the season.

The total cost was about $10K for the installation.

You also might want to consider using a solar hot water heater with the HP. This would increase the efficiency of the HP and qualify you for a tax credit on the entire instillation.

[Matariki]

9. So you cut your heat bill just over half ?

That's great.

My electric is currently about $25 every two months. I have a gas water heater which I'm replacing with an 'on demand' type. A solar water heater working with the heat pump is intriguing but I'm not sure I could afford that on top of everything else just now.

Did you get yours through Washington Energy Services by any chance?

Thanks,
~Kineta

[133724]

12. I purchased mine through

Olympic Mechanical in Montlake Terrace.

And yes it has cut the heating bill in half...

but I got bids from at least two or three other firms.

About not being able to afford it...

1) have the heat pump installed and working as of Dec. 31, 2007.

2)the maximum tax credit would be $2000 for solar heating.

3) the tax credit expires on Dec. 31, 2007...

[tech3149]

11. I wouldn't consider one in the PNW

They can be more efficient in more moderate climates, but if you spend most of your winter at freezing or below you'll spend enough in gas you'll see no savings. The last furnace I replaced, I went to a sealed combustion gas. It was the highest efficiency I could get. It cost's more and more to install ( you have to port the intake and exhaust air besides the flue). I made up the extra cost in three years. I left all the paperwork when I sold the place, but what I have tells me it was a Carrier 58PAV135 that ran at 80% efficiency. There are better out there these days, but I don't think a heat pump will do it. I just saw on the PG&E website that you can get a rebate of of $200-300 if you go up to a higher efficiency rating. http://www.pge.com/res/rebates/gas_furnaces/

I'm no expert, but my Dad did HVAC here in the NE and most heat pump users weren't real happy with the choice. That was a few years ago. Best bet is to hunt down some good contractors in the area and gather up some info for your area and come back and we'll do some research.

[133724]

13. I can understand why you would say that

living in the NE...

In Seattle most of the winter temps are between 35F and 50F. this is well within the range of a standard HP. Mine is 100% electric; and as I indicated I have cut my heating bills by 50%....

[tech3149]

14. That's not too shabby, you must get a pretty good Kwh rate

I'm in a rental now and I pay twice the rate for my gas water heater than I do for keeping my computer and a few lights on 24/7. And I don't use much hot water.