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Homeowner Forum / Construction / January 2006natural gas or electric heat pump
In light of the price increases for natural gas, does anyone know of an objective way to analyze the energy costs between the two systems? Electricity in my region is fairly much nuclear and hydro, so cost is below average and fairly stable. I'm rehabbing a residential loft and at this point, I could go with all electric or natural gas. There is adequate electric service and gas service for either choice, so installation cost for hvac and appliances would be similar. I realize that a heat pump would be higher $, but that would be partially offset by cheaper appliances. The info I'm finding so far generally comes from someone selling something in this market, so is suspect. thanks bill If costs are anywhere similar, go gas. Heating with a heat pump is not as comfortable (IMO) as with a gas furnace. The HP blows a lot of semi-warm air that feels like a draft.... LT > In light of the price increases for natural gas, does anyone know of an > objective way to analyze [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > thanks > bill > If costs are anywhere similar, go gas. Heating with a heat pump is not > as comfortable (IMO) as with a gas furnace. The HP blows a lot of [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >> thanks >> bill If you go heat pump and can do it, put the coil & fan inside vs an attic area. Many smaller homes they put themm in the attic to gain closet space in the house. Attic 150 deg in summer defeating purpose and attic at winter temps when running as a heater. I saw a decent setup once where the coil, fan and main dist trunk was all inside. The differential (air temp return is taking in vs what vents putting out has a range of 15-25 degrees. On extreme days (both hot and cold) I've seen it 12 degrees (older setup). On mild days I've seen it 30 deg. There is a setting so if the temp you put the thermostat on is say 2 deg higher than the room temp, the electric heat strips will kick on to assist the pump. You'll see the air coming out of the vents 120 degrees then! Keep in mind this is on an older system on an older home with 2x4 insulation and a SEER 10 system (I think). Inside installation makes mucho sense. Watch using the heat strips, them suckers use the dollars faster than any gas furnace..... lt >> If costs are anywhere similar, go gas. Heating with a heat pump is not >> as comfortable (IMO) as with a gas furnace. The HP blows a lot of [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > Keep in mind this is on an older system on an older home with 2x4 > insulation and a SEER 10 system (I think). > Inside installation makes mucho sense. Watch using the heat strips, > them suckers use the dollars faster than any gas furnace..... [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] >> Keep in mind this is on an older system on an older home with 2x4 >> insulation and a SEER 10 system (I think). Heat strips are there for assisting and emergency. Definately not constant. I was really surprised though at electric costs. The last place I lived, electricity was 50% more than here but gas is 50% higher here! Here, electricity is the most $ stable cost. Gas, anywhere, is an insane crapshoot. >In light of the price increases for natural gas, does anyone know of an >objective way to analyze [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >thanks >bill I don't know of any way to perform an analysis between your 2 options- future costs are pretty much a crapshoot particularly regarding gas. I personally have gone with the heatpump- I live in B.C. Canada where about 90% of our electric power is supplied by hydro-electric dams and powerplants and is a stable and enduring resource. Some people might have had bad experiences with heatpumps but I've been pleasantly surprised with ones I've seen recently installed. The one I chose is a 5-ton Frigidaire unit coupled to an airhandler with backup electric heating strips. Bear in mind that I live on the south coast of Vamcouver Island where the average winter temperature usually hovers well above freezing. My dime's worth Paul >>In light of the price increases for natural gas, does anyone know of >>an objective way to analyze [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > Paul Just curious for info Paul. 5-ton for how many Sq Ft. Or maybe rated sq meters there? All on a single zone? >>>In light of the price increases for natural gas, does anyone know of >>>an objective way to analyze [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > >All on a single zone? 3250 ft2 of living area, plus another 800 ft2 of room-to-stand-up-in but basically unheated crawlspace. Plant runs off a single programmable thermostat; there are also 2 1500 watt electric baseboard heaters in the basement (walk-out at the front but fullheight concrete foundation wall at the back) which will run on their own individual thermostats. Sorry to take so long to get back; hope this helps. (Busier than a one-legged man in an asskicking contest- tiling floors all day long today and every evening for the past week). Cheers Paul P.S. House is 3-level, high vaulted ceilings in LR, FR, Kitchen nook- it isn't going to be cheap to heat but we knew this going in when we designed it- its our retirement home, we''l spend the rest of our days in it. I don't know if the overnight low temps ever get low enough there, but does the control automatically shift to aux heat at some preset outdoor temperature? bill > I don't know of any way to perform an analysis between your 2 > options- future costs are pretty much a crapshoot particularly [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Paul > I don't know if the overnight low temps ever get low enough there, but > does the [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] >> >> Paul > but > does the > control automatically shift to aux heat at some preset outdoor > temperature? On the one I had, If the temp of the room dropped more than two degrees (there's an adjustment/jumper or something to specify the amount) below the thermostat setting, the electric kicks in until the differential reduces. There is also an EMER (emergency obviously) position on the thermostat. If you put it there, the heat pump does not run. Just the air handler and the electric heat strips. Just my experience. Not necessairly standard or Gospel. It sounds like the control doesn't deal directly with the outdoor temp. thanks bill >> I don't know if the overnight low temps ever get low enough there, but >> does the [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Just my experience. Not necessairly standard or Gospel. |
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