Where Are Heat Pumps At Now?

PlainPainter

I have an uncle in Europe who was describing how his son had this expensive heat pump setup installed, and how you pay practically next to nothing to run it - and even pumps electricity back into the 'grid' with it to make money. I have my doubts and was wondering what you guys knew about where the technology for heat pumps is at now? With companies like Carrier and others - can you really heat a whole home with these things now? Can they work in the northeast climate?

mdshunk

Sure. There are gazillions of them all over the place in my area.

cleveman

I've got one that operates off the pto on my tractor. Heats the whole house and there is no wear and tear on my tires. I can even use the exhaust pressure to blow up Al Gore dolls. It's a fine thing.

playsinmud

I install heat pumps full time. They are reliable and efficient. If you plan to stay there for 7 years or so it's a good investment

hf05

Northeast eh! well northern Ontario theres a few factors that come into play! 1st your cost per kw/h cause heat pumps suck hydro.2nd depends on your cost per cube for nat. gas.. up here heat pumps get used on cooling side only usually b cause its just cheaper to use gas than hydro.check it out!!!

neolitic

One thing that hasn't changed in 30 years,
and won't any time soon.
You can do all the calculations and cost
benefit analysis you want.
Facts and logic will not change your wife!
If she is used to oil or gas heat....
she will probably hate the heat pump.
Thermostat calling for 75º gets @ 85º
out of the register.
You don't sit in front of a fan when it's 85º
to warm up!
You can show them thermometers, facts,
bells and whistles,
but if she wants to stand next to the register
to dry-off after the shower?
When Momma ain't happy......

Just a word in your shell-like ear

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aerod1

The heat pumps being installed today are good and are dependable but there is no substitute for good old gas heat for comfort, in my not so humble opinion.

justagrunt

???? I thought that the old time heat pumps were geo-thermal now ???

Asharperbuilder

I owned and worked a 2 man heating company in Pa. for years.. Installed mostly oil and gas boilers..some warm air, same fuels. I moved down here to southeast N.C. 10 years ago.. Now most of my work has been heatpumps with a few oil or propane furnaces.. even in this milder climate, heat pumps are weak when it comes to heating a house fast and cheaply. If you want the temp to come up fast you have to kick in about 10 to 15 KW worth of resist. heat strips.. costly .. heat pumps are great for cooling and sufficient for heating in southern exposures but will not make you happy for heat in the northeast. Been der tried dat.

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indoorwxexpert

NC based. We mostly sell dual fuel or now "Hybrid Heat". This is a heat pump with a gas furnace back up. You get the best of both worlds, super efficient above 40 and below 40. Our customers love them.

jcalvin

We have a few people in Western NC that have either solar, wind, or weater powered generators that can produce electricity and supply heat to the home by electric strips or and auxillary geothermal unit.

These systems are very efficient and can earn you back some money by the local POCO buying your residual power from you, but, they are very expensive to install and maintain. There are only a handful of people around that are qualified and knowledgable to service them and they know that $$$.

I have gathered that they rank up there with the gold plated toilets when it comes to luxury. Looks nice, gets you some attention, but probably would cost more to install and maintain than they are worth.

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