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Post by Silver on Oct 4, 2022 12:55:06 GMT 1
The current high price of natural gas (expected to likely get much worse) has forced us to reduce our thermostat setting to 67 F. (19.4 C.) this winter, vs. 70 F. (21.1 C.) last winter. We should burn roughly 9.5% less NG this winter due to this T-Stat set-back. If the price goes up as expected we may be forced to cut back even more. I don't think I would be able to tolerate any less than setting it down to 64 F. (17.8 C.). At a T-Stat setting of 64 F. we should be burning 18% less NG.
The problem is that if we are capable of saving 18%, but the price doubles, we are still paying 82% more.
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Post by Silver on Oct 4, 2022 17:26:48 GMT 1
Am I the only one who is going to be cold this winter?
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smallgree
Chef
Here is a vial recipe:
Posts: 1,416
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Post by smallgree on Oct 4, 2022 18:24:48 GMT 1
I've got my quilts and blankets.
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Post by deepfriednew101 on Nov 4, 2022 16:15:21 GMT 1
The forum might have to change to Chicken Soup for the Soul Recipe. warm the body.
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crazyforchicken
Kitchen Assistent
eating Kentucky Fried Chicken since 1960's
Posts: 191 
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Post by crazyforchicken on Nov 4, 2022 16:25:31 GMT 1
I had a mini-split heat pump installed 4 yrs ago which cut my furnace fuel consumption by half. Now I just hope the power rates don't go thru the roof!
cfc
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smallgree
Chef
Here is a vial recipe:
Posts: 1,416
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Post by smallgree on Nov 5, 2022 18:45:34 GMT 1
Heat pumps can be finicky.
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crazyforchicken
Kitchen Assistent
eating Kentucky Fried Chicken since 1960's
Posts: 191
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Post by crazyforchicken on Nov 6, 2022 2:42:31 GMT 1
Mine has worked flawlessly for many years (7 years). Its a quality made Fujitsu unit. Cheap units are junk. As with everything, ya get what ya pay for ...
cfc
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Post by Silver on Nov 6, 2022 9:49:21 GMT 1
Mine has worked flawlessly for many years (7 years). Its a quality made Fujitsu unit. Cheap units are junk. As with everything, ya get what ya pay for ... cfc As I understand this, heat pump systems all have a low ambient outdoor temperature level at which they will have transitioned into what is nominally "resistance" heat, which by definition is 100% efficient. A quality unit (as in getting what you pay for) may start out as high as 300% to perhaps 350% efficient at only the mildest levels of outside coldness demanding inside heating, and will progressively transition to 100% resistance heat at an outdoor temperature appreciably sub Zero degrees C., whereas a lesser quality and cost unit may start our at only 200% efficient, and will have progressively transitioned down to 100% resistance level heat efficiency at about (or even at above) Zero degrees C. Any of these units will never fall below 100% efficient. 100% efficient means a delivery of 3,412 BTUH (BTU's per hour) for every 1 Kilowatt hour of electricity expended. At 350% efficiency there will be 11,942 BTUH of heat delivered into the home for every 1 Kilowatt hour of electricity expended.
So depending upon where you live, and the climate that you will experience, a heat pump will either prove to be a big winner, or only a partial winner. But your chances of it being more along the lines of a big winner improve greatly if you buy the best of them. Fujitsu is top tier. Often mentioned as being among the top two. And perhaps even being at the very top.
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crazyforchicken
Kitchen Assistent
eating Kentucky Fried Chicken since 1960's
Posts: 191
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Post by crazyforchicken on Nov 6, 2022 10:56:48 GMT 1
Heat pumps are most beneficial when used in what is generally referred to as the "shoulder season" or fall/spring. They are not efficient enough yet to be considered a primary heat source because they are not rated to -40 which is what insurance companies require.
cfc
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maceme
Kitchen Assistent
Posts: 220
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Post by maceme on Nov 7, 2022 2:49:26 GMT 1
Many brands of heat pumps operate quite well at quite cold temperatures, like near single digits Fahrenheit, without the auxiliary heating strips.
There is usually a heating coefficient performance curve buried in the specs somewhere, but it might require asking.
Some issues are how often defrost cycles have to run in those temps, which interrupt the heating cycle, and what the outlet temp of the “heating” air is.
These nuances are hard to discern from general sales info.
If you are heating a room to perhaps 72, slowly, with 85 degree air, it will feel drafty / chilly, relative to your body temperature as it does so, compared to the blast of warmth from a combustion fuel driven air handler or convectors with temps well over 100 degrees.
Electric strips are one auxiliary strategy, but you can choose others, like hot water from gas or oil, if you have separate air handlers.
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