Bravely_Default OP t1_iuhx5pt wrote on October 31, 2022 at 1:49 PM

Reply to comment by -Familiar-Pangolin- in Anyone have success with ditching oil for Heat Pumps in their home? by Bravely_Default

Lots of good info here thanks for the answer; few follow up questions if you'll indulge me.

> The utilities actually have a free heat pump consultation service as well, it's informative and easy

I did not know this, so UI will come out and give you a consultation to tell you if its worth while/what it should roughly cost and the roi for doing so?

> Something to consider is that as of Jan01, you can get a 30% tax credit on heat pumps and there are other state rebates for them

I did know this was a part of the inflation reduction act, hence why I was eyeing it for the near future when our central AC unit dies.

> Final consideration: life cycle analysis is showing due to electric rates in CT in particular, it's not yet cost effective to buy one without also getting solar. This doesn't mean it will always cost more than oil, especially with volatile oil prices, but if nothing Changes right now your energy cost may go up just a little. Not definitely, but possibly.

This is interesting and not something I was aware of, I thought it would be more of a net gain over oil regardless. I have been thinking about solar too but I'm on the fence there as well.

Finally, do heat pumps work as well as a central AC unit in cooling a home? My fear is that heat pumps may be more energy efficient but your house won't feel as cool/warm as it would with central ac and oil.

realbusabusa t1_iuhyhgw wrote on October 31, 2022 at 1:59 PM

Heat pump is just an AC that can run in reverse. Oversimplification but there is no reason it shouldn't work as well as whatever central air you have now.

FrostyBaller t1_iui95d6 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 3:14 PM

We have heat pump and solar, with oil as a backup heating source. Currently for the year 107% of our electricity has been covered by solar, so we have about 400 kWh banked for November and December. The heat pumps have covered a majority of our heating, and are really useful except for the coldest times, when it gets in the 20s.

iCUman t1_iuixxph wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:00 PM

We just had a new heat pump installed at work, and something the technician advised me on in operation is not to allow for large temperature swings. "Set it and forget it" was his recommendation, because evidently they're really efficient at maintaining a temperature, but not so much at getting up to temperature.

I am happy to report that our electric bill is significantly lower than it was with our previous unit (which was 30+ years old).

-Familiar-Pangolin- t1_iujfr8o wrote on October 31, 2022 at 7:59 PM

Hey sorry for the long wait!

I see others here have answered so I'll keep it short! Here is the link for the free consult, yes they will just help you! https://energizect.com/clean-energy/heat-pump-consultations

As someone else said, your heat pump is an air conditioner, so it would work well to cool you as well :) they are incredibly efficient !

Please let me know if there is any other questions and I can do my best to help!!