4 ms·

It sucks because there's ultimately far more efficient ways to heat a home and the only reason they're not implemented is to try to force greater consumption.

sokoloff 4y ago
It’s not the only reason. I’m literally a mechanical engineer (by degree, not trade) and tried to get an air-to-water heat pump to replace my aging gas boiler. Only one firm in the area could even quote me on one, tried to talk me out of it at every step, and gave me a quote that reinforced their sales pitch. It was literally never going to payback over a combi, which dozens of companies would be happy to install and service. So, a fresh combi boiler sits on my wall (which is a good improvement over the old), but it also means that I don’t entertain the question again for another 15 years. I was among the top 0.1% aware, educated, and motivated potential customers of a heat pump and it couldn’t happen.
- Brigand 4y ago
  Which region of the world do you live in? Also air-air and air-ground were not an option? These are more readily available.
  - sokoloff 4y ago
    Cambridge, MA, USA. Anything-to-air wasn’t going to work visually or for occupant comfort. I don’t want refrigeration linesets strung all over the outside, warts on a wall in each room, and after all that having less comfortable heat than hydronic. (On the plus side, it would give AC “for free” [in capital costs].) Ground source (to water) was my first preference. I’m on a pretty small city lot and the well cost meant for an even longer payback period than an air-to-water heat pump.
chii 4y ago
one should not be heating the home, but the person. Have thermal underwear, or even one of those heated clothing (may be even battery powered). Use an electric blanket, and wear an extra layer. This will use far less energy, than trying to warm up all of the air inside the home.
- realgeniushere 4y ago
  Let them wear coats, said the out of touch queen of the freezing peasants.
- jason-phillips 4y ago
  Great strategy to coax those intractable WFHers into the office.

sokoloff 4y ago

It’s not the only reason. I’m literally a mechanical engineer (by degree, not trade) and tried to get an air-to-water heat pump to replace my aging gas boiler. Only one firm in the area could even quote me on one, tried to talk me out of it at every step, and gave me a quote that reinforced their sales pitch. It was literally never going to payback over a combi, which dozens of companies would be happy to install and service. So, a fresh combi boiler sits on my wall (which is a good improvement over the old), but it also means that I don’t entertain the question again for another 15 years. I was among the top 0.1% aware, educated, and motivated potential customers of a heat pump and it couldn’t happen.

Brigand 4y ago
Which region of the world do you live in? Also air-air and air-ground were not an option? These are more readily available.
- sokoloff 4y ago
  Cambridge, MA, USA. Anything-to-air wasn’t going to work visually or for occupant comfort. I don’t want refrigeration linesets strung all over the outside, warts on a wall in each room, and after all that having less comfortable heat than hydronic. (On the plus side, it would give AC “for free” [in capital costs].) Ground source (to water) was my first preference. I’m on a pretty small city lot and the well cost meant for an even longer payback period than an air-to-water heat pump.

chii 4y ago

one should not be heating the home, but the person. Have thermal underwear, or even one of those heated clothing (may be even battery powered). Use an electric blanket, and wear an extra layer. This will use far less energy, than trying to warm up all of the air inside the home.

realgeniushere 4y ago
Let them wear coats, said the out of touch queen of the freezing peasants.
jason-phillips 4y ago
Great strategy to coax those intractable WFHers into the office.