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> until a new type of electric heating is invented/popularized, there will be higher costs I wouldn't be surprised if electric heat pumps were already cheaper
by leguminous 5y ago
> until a new type of electric heating is invented/popularized, there will be higher costs
I wouldn't be surprised if electric heat pumps were already cheaper to operate than gas furnaces in many places. Especially in temperate areas like Menlo Park. They are being installed all over the American south.
In areas where people want air conditioning anyway, upgrading to a unit that heats as well is a minor expense.
- gnicholas 5y agoI think part of the reason is that electricity is very expensive here. Apparently it’s the 3rd most expensive state in the country, with a cost over 75% more than the average nationwide cost. [1] The electricity we receive is sourced from renewables, and I’m sure that’s part of the reason the price is so much higher than elsewhere. 1: https://www.chooseenergy.com/electricity-rates-by-state/ https://www.chooseenergy.com/electricity-rates-by-state/
- drusenko 5y agoThe reason is not due to renewables, actually. In PG&E territory (which I am most familiar with) more than 2/3rds of your bill typically goes to transmission and distribution costs and 1/3 towards generation. Check out your next bill if you are curious. It’s not a huge surprise that T&D costs so much since that infrastructure keeps burning down the state and there is a lot of deferred maintenance. It does make for a nice argument to try to decentralize more of the generation closer to where the consumption is happening (eg solar + batteries) to try to reduce our need to invest in T&D.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]