Gas vs. Heat Pump Conversion

Re the 20K estimate, I presume this includes a new gas-fired boiler, the new separate gas line (wait a sec, is this even available now?), and removing the oil boiler but NOT new radiators or pipes NOR any chimney changes. You would be wise to get a chimney expert to check out the chimney first and see if it will need anything for a new gas-fired boiler.

cate

in General Discussion 3 years and 1 month ago

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alexwithak | 3 years and 1 month ago

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I will concede to octopus that a heat pump system isn’t going to make it *hot* in your home in winter. If you want it to be 75+ degrees, well then it’s not for you. But even when it was in the teens this winter we were perfectly comfortable in the high 60s in our 100yo rowhouse with 10ft ceilings. Again, insulation and windows make a big difference. We have newer windows and blown-in insulation in the attic crawlspace. I would strongly advise doing those things. It can be done and is especially effective in an attached rowhouse if that’s what you have. You’re basically already well-insulated on either side if that’s the case. Fully detached may be trickier.

whztqtgnjsbze | 3 years and 1 month ago

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Agree completely with alexwithak.

So much of HVAC can be boiled down to personal “perception” of what one might think is cool or hot.

My wife is always cold and loves hot weather, I’m the opposite a d can live with a 72 degree room if I wear a sweater.

If you are “used to” steam heat or forced air (say, if you are a apartment dweller buying your first house) you will have a hard time with heatpumps, which will heat a room nicely to 70 or 75 degrees or more, but remember your skin temperature is 95-97 degrees.. so any air being blown on your body from the airhandler will “feel like” a cold breeze.

This is the one factor I wish I had known before installing the Mitsubishi’s.

alexwithak | 3 years and 1 month ago

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Growing up my parents kept our hydronic heating system set to like 60 in the winter to keep the gas bill down, so they prepared me for a heat pump system and then some! Thankfully our system kept us closer to 67-68.

If you’re in a position to keep your old heating system as backup/supplement that can be a good way to go. We took advantage of a clean energy rebate program that subsidized a sizable portion of the install but were required to remove our boiler. We wanted to get rid of the radiators anyway and were happy the day we turned off the boiler to be rid of the constant hiss, but depending on your situation leaving it in place for occasional use is an option. If your boiler is toast and a hybrid forced air/heat pump setup is too pricey, you can supplement with electric panel or baseboard heaters where needed. We do have one small room that was impractical to install a blower in that we need a heater for.

On the topic of rebates, I’ll add that if you decide you are willing to go all in on a heat pump, there are lots of ways to defray the cost and they’re not alway s easy to find. The one we participated in was very generous and not something we would have found on our own. A contractor friend told us about it and it’s all handled by the HVAC contractor. Point is, when you get quotes be sure to ask about available rebates. Ours was through ConEd and completely handled by our installer.

jrs84o | 3 years and 1 month ago

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One other point…

As Alexwithak points out.. keep your existing system for a supplement or back up. That means, if you currently have a forced air system DO NOT USE THE SAME WALL CHANNELS to run the heatpump lines through!

I’m certain some contractors take the easy route and push the lines through existing channels once the furnace has been disconnected. In an old lathe and plaster house that’s would save a ton of work… do NOT be tempted, and make sure you know where your contractor will run the lines.

Master Plvmber | 3 years and 1 month ago

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I’ve never been in a house where people keep a thermostat set above 72° in heating mode, so the idea that heatpumps fall short only under circumstances of extreme demand is not valid. They’re well known to be a problem in our climate. At some point, to make up for their shortcomings, they become electric heaters and become expensive to run. Like the cost of cooling a house in summer. But, one can certainly make the valid argument that if you’re not looking for a lot of heat, then heat pumps could be the system for you. So, carry on if that’s your case.
That said, not all heat is created equal and we humans are creatures of habit. So, if you’ve grown accustomed to the deeply warming pulses of steam or hot water-based heating, then you might not like the different quality and cost of heat you get from heat pumps.
I get to have this conversation several times per year with people who just had to tear out their tank-type water heater with extreme prejudice to have a tankless/instantaneous water heater installed.

alexwithak | 3 years and 1 month ago

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Re cost all I can say is that in January we were on gas-fired steam heat and in February we were on heat pumps and our electric+gas bill total dropped by $200. The months had similar average temps and we kept the indoor daytime temp at about 67 for both. (Of course the heat pumps allowed us to turn some unoccupied rooms waaay down at night.) No other major changes in our electrical consumption. See all my other caveats above about insulation, etc, but for us it saved a nice chunk of change. For sure it’s a different type of heat that may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Lurker | 3 years and 1 month ago

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We don’t have AC, so points in the favor of heat pump, but jeez alexwithak, I don’t know what your final bill after a $200 drop but if you’re paying anywhere near hundreds for heat or AC per month in a well-insulated building then something doesn’t seem right? With a modcon system in a 3 story rowouse our heat is set at 73F 24/7 and we pay 180 at peak, for jan/feb, and far less for other months. Not to make it a pissing contest about heating bills but just noting, since our system isn’t particularly special

alexwithak | 3 years and 1 month ago

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Subtracting hot water and cooking, we paid about $300/month peak to heat 3 floors with 2700sf using gas. With the heat pump it was a bit over $100 added to our electric, maybe $150. I don’t feel l that’s too out of line with others AFAIK but that’s anecdotal.