4 ms·
> Forget ever using electrical element heating, which is 100% efficient from a thermodynamics perspective, but uses a ridiculous amount of kWh per heating unit.
by awaaz 8y ago
> Forget ever using electrical element heating, which is 100% efficient from a thermodynamics perspective, but uses a ridiculous amount of kWh per heating unit.
A question regarding this. Why are heat pumps not used for heating, instead of resistive heating? Afaik, they should offer 3-4x the efficiency and really cut down on the electricity requirements.
- walrus01 8y agoThey can be a good option, but in terms of cost per BTU, and lower risk of excessive battery drain during unexpectedly cold weeks, can be more reliable to have a 500 gallon propane tank and gas heater. Depends on how "off grid" it is and the cost for propane delivery.
- Scoundreller 8y agoAir-source heat pump efficiency really takes a dive in freezing conditions when you need it most. Ground-source heat pumps are difficult to get right, expensive to install%, and can be painful to get planning approval for^. Plus, if you have the land for a system, you often have the land for a small woodlot. % You'll need more land if you have to trench instead of drilling a well. ^ Some areas don't allow direct expansion, so you have to do an inefficient heat-exchange. Running open-loop would be efficient and cheap, but districts can be very afraid of groundwater contamination.
- Symbiote 8y agoThey exist; I've seen them in fairly remote parts of Sweden, but I don't know what the economics are.