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This was listed as the heat source in a home I am considering. Is this a fancy way of saying electric heat? Isn't it expensive to heat your home with electric? I'm in the south but not so far south that I don't use heat.
Electricity is certainly a heat source. The larger question is what is the device that uses the electricity to create heat? Are we talking about electric baseboards? Maybe a heat pump? A ductless mini-split system? Some systems are far more energy efficient than others and will take some of the sting out of using electricity as your heating "fuel."
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Yes, and mostly yes. Electricity prices can vary greatly. Here for example, at about $0.07/KwH it's quite reasonable compared to places without hydro power, where it can be as much as $0.37/KwH (Hawaii). Even here, though, natural gas to heat is less expensive than electric. Some homes still have the small individual room electric wall heaters, which were found to be dangerous, baseboard is more efficient than forced air electric, but it also depends on the age of the unit, climate and insulation. Heat pumps are useless in real cold winter climates, but great in mild climates since they also provide cooling when needed. Look into it in more detail, it may or may not be a big problem.
Electricity is certainly a heat source. The larger question is what is the device that uses the electricity to create heat? Are we talking about electric baseboards? Maybe a heat pump? A ductless mini-split system? Some systems are far more energy efficient than others and will take some of the sting out of using electricity as your heating "fuel."
Depends on the technology. Modern inverter driven air source heat pumps have high efficiency down to single digit outdoor temperatures . At that point, it's more about whether the structure is well insulated than the heat source. Older single or dual speed heat pumps used to default to backup resistance heat below freezing, so colder periods would run up energy bills.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemlock140
Heat pumps are useless in real cold winter climates.
That is no longer the case in most lowland areas of the US. If average lows are in the teens or higher, modern heat pumps are a sufficient source of heat.
I have a 2012 American Standard heat pump. It is quite efficient and cheaper than my previous gas heat at another home.
Heat Pump's are not the greatest when temperatures outside dip well below 25 degrees for extended periods. My understanding is that you will not see many of them north of Virginia or so on the east coast. Unless they are supplemented with something else for the extreme cold.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,578 posts, read 81,186,228 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Suncc49
I have a 2012 American Standard heat pump. It is quite efficient and cheaper than my previous gas heat at another home.
Heat Pump's are not the greatest when temperatures outside dip well below 25 degrees for extended periods. My understanding is that you will not see many of them north of Virginia or so on the east coast. Unless they are supplemented with something else for the extreme cold.
I have had a heat pump at two different locations (at close to sea level) in our area, at my business. In both cases once we got below about 25F the supplemental heat couldn't keep up, and at times the whole unit (roof) would ice up and become totally useless.
I have a 2012 American Standard heat pump. It is quite efficient and cheaper than my previous gas heat at another home.
Heat Pump's are not the greatest when temperatures outside dip well below 25 degrees for extended periods. My understanding is that you will not see many of them north of Virginia or so on the east coast. Unless they are supplemented with something else for the extreme cold.
New heat pumps are rated to full capacity down to 5 degrees. 25 is where the old ones would suffer in performance. Now, people are using them in Canada.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemlock140
I have had a heat pump at two different locations (at close to sea level) in our area, at my business. In both cases once we got below about 25F the supplemental heat couldn't keep up, and at times the whole unit (roof) would ice up and become totally useless.
When making these recommendations, you should note that the equipment was old- most manufacturers are phasing out these types of units now.
I have had a heat pump at two different locations (at close to sea level) in our area, at my business. In both cases once we got below about 25F the supplemental heat couldn't keep up, and at times the whole unit (roof) would ice up and become totally useless.
This is a new unit. It is completely different than your old school thoughts on heat pumps. However, it does seem to be much more efficient than my previous place with gas heat!!! Amazing!
This is a new unit. It is completely different than your old school thoughts on heat pumps. However, it does seem to be much more efficient than my previous place with gas heat!!! Amazing!
This is in NC.
I'm in NC as well. I did call the electric company and found out the average electric bills for similar homes on the same street. Highest was $199./mo. Lowest $100./mo. In comparison, my home uses natural gas and my last bill was $187., plus $89. for the electric bill. In the summer, my gas bill is normally $29./mo. I feel alot better about going forward with the purchase. Now just need to get my home sold!
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