We are building a new home and looking into getting an air-source heat pump vs. LP heat system w/standard AC. I don't know anyone with a HP so am looking for someone with a little experience to tell me if they like the HP system, does it really save much money, are they expensive to maintain, pros and cons. I know this is not normal mamapedia talk, thanks for your help :-)
To Jo: Oops, yes I meant natural gas for heating which is what we have now. The local electric company guy is telling us how great geothermal is but it's so expensive I can't see how the savings are going to even overcome the difference in our mortgage and interest payments that it will add up to. Anyway - we are leaning towards the heat pump but since not may people up here have one (that i know of) I don't know if they're worth it or not. What is your dual-stage system - what does that mean? thanks! Our heating/cooling guy isn't offering much guidance about the best option for us.
I know of one family here that has one and they swear by it. However, we have both a new furnace and A/C and when I was "researching" our purchases I was told by several sources and concluded that they are not worth it, at least not in our climate. Unfortunately, I can't remember the details of my information. At least one source was the employee of my dad's contracting business who used to sell HVAC systems. So we didn't get one.
My husband works with control systems so he isn't HVAC but knows the equipment. I can't remember the reasons but he doesn't think heat pumps are worth beans.
What I kind of remember is it uses more electricity than it really saves in gas. I wish I remembered, sorry.
Is there are reason it must be LP and not natural gas? I have a duel stage heat and AC, saves a ton of electricity and gas. :)
i used to rent a home that had a heat pump that broke and the owner replaced w/a new heat pump. i was so excited b/c i live in the desert, so i use the AC everyday from May-Oct. and thought this brand new replacement would be more efficient, etc. My elec bill went up! (this house was elec only, no gas). I don't like them, but I have no idea the dif b/w all the dif systems.
We are in TX. We've always had heat pumps.
We built this house in 2000 and we have 2 zoned heating system. By 2004 we replaced and upgraded the system that the builder installed with a higher quality system and we are SO glad we did. We spent about $20,000 which included extra insulation but it was very worth it.
Our house is about 4000SF and in the beginning the AC bills were upwards of $700 a month. The AC is electric and the heating is gas. Since we revamped everything, our bill has not been over $400 and we are not skimpy with the thermostat, etc.
The largest unit covers the downstairs and we have a slightly smaller unit that covers the upstairs.
Around here... the heat pump is what you see everywhere. We use ours a LOT being in TX. I am no pro on any system but we are happy with our set up.
You can buy the highest quality HP out there but if your installer is not excellent, you won't get the efficiency . You need a highly qualified person for the install and you'll have better efficiency.
