3 ms·

> Then, what's the point? If you still have to have gas lines and infra, just use the gas. It's vastly cheaper. A) Not everywhere B) Heat pumps can be powered

> Then, what's the point? If you still have to have gas lines and infra, just use the gas. It's vastly cheaper. A) Not everywhere B) Heat pumps can be powered with solar, reducing costs even if your gas would normally be cheaper C) Some people are willing to spend a little more if it helps push electrification forward, for environmental reasons

frumper 3y ago
I tend to need heat when the sun isn't warming everything up.
Alupis 3y ago
> Some people are willing to spend a little more if it helps push electrification forward, for environmental reasons It's not a little more though, that was the point. In my area, California, it's about 4x more. Gas here is so cheap, it's almost free. Anecdotally, I don't know anyone who's opted into the "green energy" plans offered by the area's utility providers - because they all cost a lot more than regular. People talk a lot - but their bank account dictates their actual decision making. Running a heatpump seems very expensive for a lot of the country, with negligible gains. Natural Gas isn't exactly what we would call "dirty"... seems like a min-max issue, with people forgetting there's still areas burning coil and oil for electricity production. > Heat pumps can be powered with solar Not in the dead of winter you can't... not everyone lives in big cities folks, and where it snows, it gets quite cold.
- ThatPlayer 3y ago
  Lots of places are looking into phasing out natural gas though. California gives you rebates for heat pump water heaters and there's plenty of discouragement to block new gas appliances and hookups. There will be a feedback loop once that really starts: individual prices go up because infrastructure costs remain the same, but less people are using gas. Once natural gas prices go up, people will switch to more efficient appliances, or switch to electricity. Forcing prices to go up some more to make up for infrastructure costs. I agree with you about people following their wallets and that's why people will want to change to heat pumps when gas becomes too expensive. Remember the prices in December?
zamalek 3y ago
D) Carries the risk of killing you with CO.

frumper 3y ago

I tend to need heat when the sun isn't warming everything up.

Alupis 3y ago

> Some people are willing to spend a little more if it helps push electrification forward, for environmental reasons It's not a little more though, that was the point. In my area, California, it's about 4x more. Gas here is so cheap, it's almost free. Anecdotally, I don't know anyone who's opted into the "green energy" plans offered by the area's utility providers - because they all cost a lot more than regular. People talk a lot - but their bank account dictates their actual decision making. Running a heatpump seems very expensive for a lot of the country, with negligible gains. Natural Gas isn't exactly what we would call "dirty"... seems like a min-max issue, with people forgetting there's still areas burning coil and oil for electricity production. > Heat pumps can be powered with solar Not in the dead of winter you can't... not everyone lives in big cities folks, and where it snows, it gets quite cold.

ThatPlayer 3y ago
Lots of places are looking into phasing out natural gas though. California gives you rebates for heat pump water heaters and there's plenty of discouragement to block new gas appliances and hookups. There will be a feedback loop once that really starts: individual prices go up because infrastructure costs remain the same, but less people are using gas. Once natural gas prices go up, people will switch to more efficient appliances, or switch to electricity. Forcing prices to go up some more to make up for infrastructure costs. I agree with you about people following their wallets and that's why people will want to change to heat pumps when gas becomes too expensive. Remember the prices in December?

zamalek 3y ago

D) Carries the risk of killing you with CO.