HVAC: Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps
HVAC: Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps
(OP)
I have a few questions regarding the use of heat pumps in northern homes.
My wife and I are currently interested in purchasing a house that has approximately 2000 SF living space and is a multi-story/split level arrangement. The curious thing about this home is that it used to have a gas furnace. Now it has two heat pumps which I am assuming support different areas of the house. We did not get a chance to ask the owner (and his real estate agent, the lister, seems to be only interested in selling not explaining). I was wondering if you could give me the pros and cons on heat pumps particularly with respect to heating in the winter up here (Pittsburgh Pennsylvania). I saw the electric bills for the home which show the monthly kilowatt hours used and during the summer they are extremely low while the peaks in Dec., Jan and Feb are 2.5 - 3 times as high. Is there a potential problem with heat pumps when the temps drop below a specific temperature? Should we be concerned. It appears that the owners monthly electric bill averages $125/month (he uses an average billing that lowers the peak winter charges against the lows of the summer months).
Any input and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.
My wife and I are currently interested in purchasing a house that has approximately 2000 SF living space and is a multi-story/split level arrangement. The curious thing about this home is that it used to have a gas furnace. Now it has two heat pumps which I am assuming support different areas of the house. We did not get a chance to ask the owner (and his real estate agent, the lister, seems to be only interested in selling not explaining). I was wondering if you could give me the pros and cons on heat pumps particularly with respect to heating in the winter up here (Pittsburgh Pennsylvania). I saw the electric bills for the home which show the monthly kilowatt hours used and during the summer they are extremely low while the peaks in Dec., Jan and Feb are 2.5 - 3 times as high. Is there a potential problem with heat pumps when the temps drop below a specific temperature? Should we be concerned. It appears that the owners monthly electric bill averages $125/month (he uses an average billing that lowers the peak winter charges against the lows of the summer months).
Any input and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.





RE: HVAC: Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps
It appears that what the house has is a zoned system. One heat pump probably handles the daytime living area and one handles the nighttime sleeping area. Heat pumps are usually only recommended for moderate climates with low electric rates (rare now). They all have supplemental heat which usually is electric heating coils. As the temperature drops to around 40 degrees F the heat pump (which is basically an air conditioner installed in reverse) cannot supply enough heat, so the electric heat is switched on. Sometimes the utilities give special rates to people who use a lot of electricity. You may wnat to check on that. Primary energy sources such oil, gas and coal are always cheaper than the secondary sources (electric) You may want to negotiate the cost of converting it back to gas into your offer.
You experience with the real estate agent is typical. Virtually all are technical zeros. That is why they sell real estate (and fast food).
Regards
Dave
RE: HVAC: Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps
If the house you are looking at originally had gas forced air heat, and is older, it is likely that it did not originally have central air. When the current owner either wanted to add central air, or needed to replace the furnace, he probably got "sold" on a heat pump.
A new heat pump, in a well insulated house, will do a reasonable job without suplemental heat down to an outside temperature of about 30F.
Much of the cost of any heating system depends on occupancy habits. Is someone home all day, or does everyone in the family work or go to school? What about the current owner?
RE: HVAC: Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps
RE: HVAC: Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps
It would not be particularly difficult to calculate how much more, but you would need access to information that you are unlikely to get.
RE: HVAC: Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps
RE: HVAC: Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps
RE: HVAC: Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps
RE: HVAC: Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps