3 ms·

Don't heat pumps only work in temperate climates though? The low in Denver tomorrow is going to be 7 below...

philipkglass 10y ago
At very low temperatures an air source heat pump does not have an advantage over simple resistance heating. But -7 F is not too cold for leading edge ASHP technology (or rather, this was about the leading edge 5 years ago): http://www.franklinenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/AirSource-Heat-Pump-Efficiency-Gains-2011.pdf http://www.franklinenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Air... "Independent research has verified the ability of air source heat pumps to maintain energy efficiency well above other electric heating systems, with coefficients of performance (COP) of between 2 to 3, in temperatures as low as -15⁰ F. Multiple manufacturers have developed ASHPs designed for cold climate operation, incorporating features such as two-stage compressors and advanced defrost capabilities. Where data is available to evaluate the energy savings impacts of [Western Minnesota] customers moving from less efficient electric heating systems, the energy savings associated with the heating demand served by the hybrid ASHP systems is found to be in the range from 10% to more than 40%, with median savings of around 22%." It looks like the Western Minnesota region where they ran this trial has colder winters than Denver, so Denver-area results would be even better. The best air source heat pumps should be able to save energy over resistance heating for the vast majority of American households. They will also save energy over direct combustion of natural gas in a household furnace if the natural gas is instead burned in a combined cycle electrical plant. They will not reduce energy consumption or emissions vs. a home natural gas furnace if your winter-time grid electricity mix has a substantial coal component.
- Gravityloss 10y ago
  for climates with colder winters, you can get high efficiency with ground heat pumps instead. It costs more to install since you have to drill a borehole, but the efficiency doesn't drop with colder weather.

At very low temperatures an air source heat pump does not have an advantage over simple resistance heating. But -7 F is not too cold for leading edge ASHP technology (or rather, this was about the leading edge 5 years ago): http://www.franklinenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/AirSource-Heat-Pump-Efficiency-Gains-2011.pdf http://www.franklinenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Air... "Independent research has verified the ability of air source heat pumps to maintain energy efficiency well above other electric heating systems, with coefficients of performance (COP) of between 2 to 3, in temperatures as low as -15⁰ F. Multiple manufacturers have developed ASHPs designed for cold climate operation, incorporating features such as two-stage compressors and advanced defrost capabilities. Where data is available to evaluate the energy savings impacts of [Western Minnesota] customers moving from less efficient electric heating systems, the energy savings associated with the heating demand served by the hybrid ASHP systems is found to be in the range from 10% to more than 40%, with median savings of around 22%." It looks like the Western Minnesota region where they ran this trial has colder winters than Denver, so Denver-area results would be even better. The best air source heat pumps should be able to save energy over resistance heating for the vast majority of American households. They will also save energy over direct combustion of natural gas in a household furnace if the natural gas is instead burned in a combined cycle electrical plant. They will not reduce energy consumption or emissions vs. a home natural gas furnace if your winter-time grid electricity mix has a substantial coal component.

Gravityloss 10y ago
for climates with colder winters, you can get high efficiency with ground heat pumps instead. It costs more to install since you have to drill a borehole, but the efficiency doesn't drop with colder weather.