Getting heat pump

[invalid unparseable]

Thought we could limp along with oil furnace but fall cleaning showed unit aging with not much life left and to top it off repairman found fill pipe to tank had rusted through and water entered. Also our AC is

24 years old.

So house is array today with tear out of old units and oil tank and installation of new unit.

Writing here that I am pleased with price as new oil furnace and AC would likely cost 1/3 more than heat pump. Wife is happy that house will be cleaner without oil heat.

With 10 year warranty and minor service contract unit will pay for itself in a few years. Oil is now $4.50 a gallon and going up.

[Dean Hoffman]

Air to air?

[invalid unparseable]

Yes but of course geothermal would be better at probably twice the cost. There is an electrical backup part of ours in case of extreme cold.

[trader_4]

What? You didn't switch to beautiful, clean coal? Must be turning lib.

[Ralph Mowery]

You should be happy with the cost to run the heat pump.

You will have to learn how to use it. It will heat slow so just set it to one temperature in the winter and do not move it more than 2 or 3 degrees upward at a time. We usually run 72 deg in the day and cut it to 70 while sleeping in the winter. Our cost is very low, about $ 150 in the summer and $ 200 in the winter per month for all our electrical use. Just me and the wife and we are retired so we are at home most of the time.

[Capt'n Butler]

If you're installing a heat pump, make sure your contractor throws in some sweaters, gloves and a nice wool watch cap ;-)

[invalid unparseable]

That is what I hear from others. Our summer electric bill has been running $100-150 so I expect about $50 higher in winter.

[Ed P]

Your ignorance is showing. Properly sized and installed, the house is very comfy. I'd not use one in Alaska, but where Frank is, they are fine.

[Fishrrman]

It's been more than 50 years since I lived in a house with a heat pump (Florida, 1961). Of course, no experience in more northern environments.

I'm thinking that their operating efficiencies have improved quite a bit in recent years, but I'm wondering...

What's the "lower end" temperature range in which they can still be usable? Without the "emergency heating strips", as I think they're called?

[Ed P]

My sister's house had one in NJ. Temperatures got down to the 20s and was no problem.

[T]

I have a portable heat pump with two hoses ported to the outside. I adore it. It works down to about 25 F.

Problem, when humidity is high, it fills its internal water tank and shuts itself off. I have to manually drain the turkey.

Now a big permanent unit like yours should have a better way of disposing of water. It would not hurt to ask, so you can take into account where it will be dripping.

[invalid unparseable]

There is back up electric heater if it gets too cold.

[invalid unparseable]

Drain like old AC and humidifier is to French drain and never been a problem.

[Jim Joyce]

You're not the only one who has had to manually drain the turkey. I think most guys can probably relate.

[The Freon Wisperer]

A nice simple explanation of heat pumps and their efficiency at various outdoor air temps. So simple, even a Democrat might grasp it.

[Capt'n Butler]

Ahhh, the old ad hominem attack...how quaint ;-)

The only way heat pumps keep the house warm warm is to crank up the auxiliary backup electric heating elements.

Check around a little to see how expensive electric heat is in most parts of the country....

[Ed P]

Quaint but accurate.

The post just above your has a link explaining efficiency down to 0 degrees. Meantime, check the price of heading oil. Right now hovering about $4/gallon.

[Snag]

I'll stick with wood ... I just talked to our propane supplier , they'll be delivering a hundred gallons next week for under 2 bucks/gallon including taxes etc . We cook with propane and use it for our backup heat for when we're put of town during freezing weather .

[Bob F]

You must have some incredibly incompetent heat pump providers wherever you live. Either that, or you just do not have a clue.

Or do you live in Antarctica?

[Capt'n Butler]

Yeah, that's why I use natural gas in a new 2-stage furnace; 65 cents/therm. Winter heat bill usually around $100/month.