Heat Pump Systems (San Antonio, Bastrop, Anton: appliances, credit, how much)

[turnerfamily]

Can anyone tell me if they have expierence with a heat pump being used for ac and heat.I'm curious how much benefit they noticed if they had changed from one to the other(standard electric) and how much cost factor was involved in the purchase of a pump system.Also while I'm at it any tax credit for using solar panels and are they very common?Thank You

[johnrex62]

My experience with heat pumps is somewhat limited and was accumulated in San Antonio and regions south of there.

Summer cooling was marginally cheaper than conventional A/C cooling. The days got too hot too quick for any substantial cost reductions. Winter heating was considerably cheaper than using standard electric heating units, but still more costly than using natural gas or propane for fuel. Even then, when the temperature dropped below 25 degrees or so, the efficiency of the heat pump dropped so much that standard electric heat strips had to be used anyway.

The price differential between standard electric and a heat pump is not a lot, but it is noticeable. I cannot give you any current numbers, sorry. I would definitely install a heat pump system for those periods in between extremes. The additional cost is not on the same magnitude as say installing a solar grid system. I would probably be even more tempted to install the groundloop system version of a heatpump since it would eliminate a lot of the seasonal extremes by utilizing the constant ground temperature for it's conversion source.

I can't address any of the current tax credits. I think CPS has some offerings, but I don't know much about them as I am not out of the immediate area (Bastrop, Tx now). Solar systems are still not common due to the lower cost of conventional heating systems available still. The payback is still way too long for serious solar use.

[turnerfamily]

It sound like you're quite expierenced with the various options and I apprecate your feedback.As far as propane vs natual gas ,what would be your recommendation?

[johnrex62]

Originally Posted by turnerfamily

It sound like you're quite expierenced with the various options and I apprecate your feedback.As far as propane vs natual gas ,what would be your recommendation?

In San Antonio I would definitely go with natural gas if it is available. It is cheaper than propane and I think has a tiny bit more energy per cf. Propane is normally only used by folks out in rural areas where no natural gas lines exist or for mobile items like bbq grills, vehicles, etc...

There is a difference between appliance fittings for gas. Be sure that your stove, fireplace logs, grill etc are equipped with the proper fittings for your chosen gas type. Some appliances can accept interchangeable nozzles, some cannot. DO NOT USE A PROPANE APPLIANCE WITH NATURAL GAS OR VICE VERSA. You may not wake up one morning if you do.

[turnerfamily]

Thanks again for your input.Yeah,I don't need any help sleeping in.

[cinboerne]

We have the heat pump in our home, and all I can say is DON'T get it. It takes forever to heat the home. Actually, when it first turns on, all you will feel is cool air blowing (not what you need in the winter). Also, it's also VERY costly.