Convert from Natural Gas to Heat Pump ?

Posted by roger61611 on September 24, 2005, 9:10 am

With all the hubbub about gas prices going way up, is it a good idea to
convert to all-electric ? Where I am in the midwest, electricity is
mostly from coal. Currently have a 80% gas furnace and an unknown SEER
A/C unit, probably not real efficient, the system is about 7 years old.
What's a new all-electric system run for a 2000 sq ft house ? Is nyone
else with a natural fas furnace starting to wonder about this winter ?
Thanks !

Posted by Jim Rusling on September 24, 2005, 3:27 pm

roger61611@yahoo.com wrote:
show/hide quoted text
About 9 years ago, I installed a heat pump with NG back-up heat. I
have it set so that the heat pump runs until it gets below 36 and then
it switches to NG. I may change it so that the heat pump runs until
it gets to 32 before it switches.
--
Jim Rusling
More or Less Retired
Mustang, OK
http://www.rusling.org

Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on September 24, 2005, 5:23 pm

show/hide quoted text
I nominate this for funniest post of the year.
Unless you live in some parts of Canada or TVA, it is never cheaper to heat
with electric. Those prices will rise also.

Posted by Stretch on September 24, 2005, 11:12 am

Edwin,
It depends on climate and utility rates. Here in Myrtle Beach, SC; a
heat pump is cheaper to heat with than a gas furnace above about 40
degrees outdoor temperature. Our electric rates are very low and our
gas rates are not as cheap. However the pay back to replace a working
system would be quite long. In most parts of the midwest it probably
gets cold enough often enough that there would not be much benefit.
Stretch

Posted by roger61611 on September 24, 2005, 12:26 pm

Whatever. Here's two links:
http://www.ipalco.com/YOURHOME/Heat_Pumps/Cost_Comparison.html
http://www.clevelandutilities.com/cons_info.htm (bottom of page)
Those don't even take into account two huge price changes that favor
electric - first, the local gas utility is in the process of raising
its "delivery" charges 35%. Second, the price of natural gas may be
30-50% higher here than it was last winter, which had already seen a
big bump from the year before.
I hate heat pumps because they blast slightly-warmed air but the gas
prices are gonna be a b*tch this winter. And again, we make
electricity with coal in these parts (sorry, New England !) so the

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 > last >>

Similar Threads	Posted
Convert from Oil Heat?	May 30, 2008, 6:20 pm
Converting from electric Heat to Natural Gas heat?	September 12, 2006, 12:41 pm
CONVERT compares gas therms and electric heat and more	November 4, 2005, 4:53 am
oil heat vs natural gas	September 22, 2005, 9:03 pm
Natural gas hot water heat.	March 22, 2006, 11:42 pm
Buddy tells me if I have elec heat and a heat pump, I can get a deal with PSE&G...	September 24, 2005, 8:42 pm
Heat Pump vs. 2-Stage Heat Pump	December 25, 2005, 10:43 am
HVAC - Oil or electric backup for new heat pump? Or oil heat only?	August 17, 2005, 8:16 pm
I want to switch from propane heat to a heat pump, any concerns?	August 31, 2008, 1:32 pm
Heat pump heat exchanger outside doesn't start sometimes....	November 26, 2005, 12:12 am