5 ms·

Southern Cali resident here: I got a mini split system installed a couple years back, and last year's eye-popping surprise gas bill inspired me to start running

Southern Cali resident here: I got a mini split system installed a couple years back, and last year's eye-popping surprise gas bill inspired me to start running it backward for heat instead of using the furnace. Pricewise, it's actually a wash. My electric bill went up by about $100 a month, whereas during the winter my gas bill was running about $100 a month to run the furnace (aside from that one random $600 bill one month last year that inspired this change). I've been using the mini split all winter and it's been great.

CaliforniaKarl 3y ago
Thank you for posting that. Although the cost of electricity is important, when deciding on using a heat pump for heat, the big question is the cost of electricity for heating, relative to the cost of the fuel you are already using (natural gas, propane, oil, etc.). It's definitely annoying to calculate! Since a heat pump's efficiency can vary with the outside temperature, it takes a bit of work to estimate your potential added electricity cost.
- lazide 3y ago
  Also cost of capital for installing the heat pump, if a new installation.
  - mullingitover 3y ago
    To me the heat was a freebie. I installed it for the AC, wasn't expecting to use it for heat at all.
thelastgallon 3y ago
Its a wash when gas prices are at historical lows: https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/rngwhhdm.htm https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/rngwhhdm.htm
- Spivak 3y ago
  That isn't the table you actually care about because it doesn't hit the residential customer like that. The nominal $/therm in my area has been stable for the last 10 years which might be artificial but to my bank account it's all the same.
  - Scoundreller 3y ago
    Obviously depends where you are & your use, but most of the gas bills here are everything but the actual gas. Transportation, distribution, storage, taxes, standby charges...
    - 10u152 3y ago
      What on earth is a standby charge on gas?
      - sokoloff 3y ago
        The monthly meter rental/connection fee/whatever your local utility calls it. Mine calls it "customer charge".
  - inferiorhuman 3y ago
    Natural gas prices have not remained stable in California. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2023-01-06/get-ready-for-a-huge-socalgas-bill-this-month-as-natural-gas-prices-soar https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2023-01-06/get-ready-...
- raegis 3y ago
  I'm in southern California as well, and my gas bill in dollars per therm are not at historic lows. However, price per therm did not double this winter like it did last winter...so far.

CaliforniaKarl 3y ago

Thank you for posting that. Although the cost of electricity is important, when deciding on using a heat pump for heat, the big question is the cost of electricity for heating, relative to the cost of the fuel you are already using (natural gas, propane, oil, etc.). It's definitely annoying to calculate! Since a heat pump's efficiency can vary with the outside temperature, it takes a bit of work to estimate your potential added electricity cost.

lazide 3y ago
Also cost of capital for installing the heat pump, if a new installation.
- mullingitover 3y ago
  To me the heat was a freebie. I installed it for the AC, wasn't expecting to use it for heat at all.

thelastgallon 3y ago

Its a wash when gas prices are at historical lows: https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/rngwhhdm.htm https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/rngwhhdm.htm

Spivak 3y ago
That isn't the table you actually care about because it doesn't hit the residential customer like that. The nominal $/therm in my area has been stable for the last 10 years which might be artificial but to my bank account it's all the same.
- Scoundreller 3y ago
  Obviously depends where you are & your use, but most of the gas bills here are everything but the actual gas. Transportation, distribution, storage, taxes, standby charges...
  - 10u152 3y ago
    What on earth is a standby charge on gas?
    - sokoloff 3y ago
      The monthly meter rental/connection fee/whatever your local utility calls it. Mine calls it "customer charge".
- inferiorhuman 3y ago
  Natural gas prices have not remained stable in California. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2023-01-06/get-ready-for-a-huge-socalgas-bill-this-month-as-natural-gas-prices-soar https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2023-01-06/get-ready-...
raegis 3y ago
I'm in southern California as well, and my gas bill in dollars per therm are not at historic lows. However, price per therm did not double this winter like it did last winter...so far.