Can a heat pump save money - I live in Seattle?

Question

I already have a forced air gas furnace. I would like to have a/c (yes, even in Seattle). I wanted to get central a/c but sales likes to push heat pump. They tell me it costs more, but it will pay back quickly...

Answer 1

The problem with heat pumps is they require another heat source (usually resistance-type electric) when the temps go below 32 degrees, something that doesn't often happen in the Seattle area, but remember last December?

You can save even more money if you keep your present gas heater as a back-up, thereby using the superior Btu of gas than electric (140,000k compared to 2500), epecially if you have a newer gas furnace.

If you have more money than I did when I switched to a heat pump from oil, which cost $10,000 which included new ductwork, you might want to check into the geothermal type, which would have been about twice what I spent. The advantage of a geothermal over regular is that instead of taking heat from the air as a regular heat pump, the geothermal takes heat from the ground (about six feet down) where the tempreture is more stable. There are reports out there (in Portland) that the only energy that needed to run the geothermals are what's required to run the fan, though I think that's overblown, it does illustrate how much more efficient they are compared to a regular heat pump. Oh yeah, there is the bonus of having free hot water (with the right option) during the summer months.

But to answer your question, will a heat pump save you money (assuming you have at least 200 amp service)? Depends on how much more the cost of the heat pump than the AC is. Then check the payback period. It doesn't make much sense to me to buy a heat pump if your payback will be more than 10 years, unless you're looking at resale value. Why ten years? That's about the time it'll take for most units to start showing their age and people think about upgrading.

The way to do that is go to Seattle light and see what a "typical" house, like yours, electrical usage with central AC and compare it to a heat pump with a seer close to the one you're looking at (remember the higher the seer the more efficient and the higher the cost) and compare the two.

Hope that helps.
DK

Answer 2

Defenitely you can. I live in midwest, I have an OVERSIZED HEAT PUMP. That is size wise, my requirement is 3.5 tons for AC, however, what i have installed is this:

A 5 ton, 2 speed condenser(outside unit) , variable air handler heat pump. What that does is provide so much more heat and down to a much lower temp than that 3.5 would.

On AC, the 2 speed outside condenser kicks into low and it does a perfect job AC my house and keeps the humdidity down perfectly.

My electric bill total for Feb. here was $122, in an all electric home. I have 2000 sq ft home built in 2000. with lots of windows and 3 kids.

My neighbor, with nearly same house, and a saver, gets a gas bill for $230 for the same month of Feb.

So I do not recommend a regular single speed compressor, nor a sizing for AC. requirements as is commonly done. I recommend that oversized heat pump. That is the way to go.

Answer 3

Gee AC in a rainy climate. You must have a desire for mold cultures.

Heat pumps are good in climates that has 4 seasons. If you count rainy as a season then there you have it....

In climates that vary a little like Florida then a heat pump is really a waste of money.

Oh ya your question - Yes!

Answer 4

Yes it can save you money....they are vary efficient until temperatures get very cold,