Electric heat?

[slyfox2]

Heat pumps can be used with well water.

[lovemaine]

We live in Camden and rarely lose power. We've been here 5 years and lost power maybe 4 times. Only once was it for several hours. The other times an hour or less. As for electric heat, electricity is very expensive in Maine. For example, we have a 1200 sq. ft. house with an electric water heater and electric dryer. (Family of 4.) Our average electric bill is about $180-$200 per month. I wouldn't want to heat our house with electricity! I'm sure just one person would need a lot less power though. Good luck!

[Soup Nazi]

Thanks to all for your helpful replies!

[maine4.us]

One would have to be insane using electric heat on Bangor Hydro. Heat pumps work well until it gets about 40 degrees, and then, its a lost cause. What happens is there is a conventional heating element or strip that kicks on at a certain temperature. When those heat strips are on, you may as well be burning $5 bills. Even in Florida, in a cold (for Florida) winter, when the temps are in the 30's, you can have an insane electric bill. Remember Maine's rates are almost 3 times what it cost per KWH than Florida.

Oh, when a heat pump runs in winter, occasionally it will look like a huge snowball, giving off what looks like sea smoke, and then it will defrost, making even more fog....its a neat thing to see early in the morning. and the fan is turning out the coldest air you have ever seen.

Some heat pump systems have an emergency switch on them to cut off the compressor and run only the heat strips. IF you remember the movie Christmas vacation, when he turns all the lights on and they have to kick in stand by nuclear power, that is what your bill will look like. Heat pumps can only blow out 50ish air when the outside temp is in the 30's.....Brrr......

[kellysmith]

Originally Posted by maine4.us

One would have to be insane using electric heat on Bangor Hydro. Heat pumps work well until it gets about 40 degrees, and then, its a lost cause. What happens is there is a conventional heating element or strip that kicks on at a certain temperature. When those heat strips are on, you may as well be burning $5 bills. Even in Florida, in a cold (for Florida) winter, when the temps are in the 30's, you can have an insane electric bill. Remember Maine's rates are almost 3 times what it cost per KWH than Florida.

There is a wall mounted air heat pump that heats my office. Brand is Mitsubishi. I was wondering how it was going to work, but the thermostat has been on 70 all winter and that's what the temp is. I looked through the owner's manual and there is no heating element in it. It's been blowing hot air even in the coldest days we've had. From what I have seen, they are a viable means of home heating. Of course there will be no heat when the power goes out, but that's very, very rare in Houlton. The compressor doesn't seem to be any larger than a refrigerator would have, so I don't think it's using an exorbitant amount of power. Don't see they bill so don't know, but I would definitely consider one if I was looking for a heating source again.

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by kellysmith

There is a wall mounted air heat pump that heats my office. Brand is Mitsubishi. I was wondering how it was going to work, but the thermostat has been on 70 all winter and that's what the temp is. I looked through the owner's manual and there is no heating element in it. It's been blowing hot air even in the coldest days we've had. From what I have seen, they are a viable means of home heating. Of course there will be no heat when the power goes out, but that's very, very rare in Houlton. The compressor doesn't seem to be any larger than a refrigerator would have, so I don't think it's using an exorbitant amount of power. Don't see they bill so don't know, but I would definitely consider one if I was looking for a heating source again.

Sounds like a mini split heat pump. They are supposed to be quite good. Our neighbor has one, and they say it works quite well until it gets very cold. 20's and less

[RMoore007]

When I was back in central Maine in the winter of '09 from Sept. to May '10, I lived in my cousin's upstairs apartment over her shop/business in town. It was an old Maine farmhouse style building with another larger two story unit in the back. My unit was a 2 bedroom, 1 bath with large kitchen. It had electric heat in each of the 5 large rooms. When the temp started to get cold in late Nov. I really started to use the heat and get my apartment to the mid 60's. I was quite comfortable. Then I got my first real electric bill in Dec. and it was over $200. I only saw it going up from there. So, I closed off the two bedrooms and the kitchen from the living room. I had a small space heater and just used that right on me when I was watching tv or at the computer. I shaved over $100. off that next month and even more the next. When I was away, I kept the thermostats at 55 degrees but at night, my living room was always warmer because of the space heater help. I did find out later that the little space heater itself was costing me about $40. a month alone but well worth it as I was always warm enough. Except when taking a shower early when I didn't have time to warm up the bathroom first.

[dickny1e]

I have a mini split heat pump, they work well here in Maine down to about 5 degrees, cheaper than oil, but you need something else when it gets really cold, they probably use the old baseboard electric heat then.

[krelithous]

I would not go for a place heated by electric after being in a 2 bedroom and my light bill was 450 a month. and like other posters have stated if the power goes out then you won't have heat or hot water

[bangorme]

Originally Posted by maine4.us

One would have to be insane using electric heat on Bangor Hydro. Heat pumps work well until it gets about 40 degrees, and then, its a lost cause. What happens is there is a conventional heating element or strip that kicks on at a certain temperature. When those heat strips are on, you may as well be burning $5 bills. Even in Florida, in a cold (for Florida) winter, when the temps are in the 30's, you can have an insane electric bill. Remember Maine's rates are almost 3 times what it cost per KWH than Florida.

This was my experience when I lived in GA. From 40-50, they will heat, but will blow cool air (so it feels colder). Under 40 it is a lost cause and our home in GA just turned off the heat pump and turned on a big heating element (electric). That happened about four times a year so it wasn't bad.

Just ask other residents in that development what they pay for their electric bill during the winter. That will answer your question.