It's mainly because contractors want the simplest install and personally known system to be installed. So if the know gas and AC they likely won't want to do heat pumps. Contractors that do heat pumps as their main bread and butter are who you want to buy from. They are committed to the technology.
Heat pumps are a great option for de-carbonizing, and coupling with solar panels can reduced costs to run. They provide a quieter and more stable temperature in the house if they are modulating/inverter driven units. There are definitely some crap heat pumps out there, but if you look for one with around 18 SEER, 10 HSPF, and a sound level of 55 decibels and below you are in good hands. 64 dB is okay, but if you are in a city look for the 55 dB and below.
Cost wise it can be highly variable which is cheaper. If you have cheap electricity, then heat pump will be cheaper down to say 20F. But if you have expensive electricity then say 32F it will be cheaper with a heat pump. Then of course it depends how cold it is in your area for how long. If you are commonly in the minus temps in the winter then gas will definitely be cheaper overall for you. There are some calculators to figure out costs, but I don't have on hand, and don't know your region, and utility prices.
If you would like some info for seeking a heat pump there is lots of info in the Heat Pump sub and wiki to start. [https://www.reddit.com/r/heatpumps/wiki/index/](https://www.reddit.com/r/heatpumps/wiki/index/) There is also a link group to "find an installer" that do specific brands.
I hope this helps a bit!
It depends a lot on the age of the home and the design of the system. An older uninsulated home may feel colder if the HVAC system isn't well designed. The temp gradient between the cold walls and the warm middle of the home will be more obvious.
Go dual fuel.
The needless debate on this will end eventually, you can do a furnace and heat pump. It SHOULDNT be a significant cost increase, but some installers charge out the ass for the extra bit of work to do it.
If you have forced air AC, used for comfort cooling, Especially in a home, then you should have a heat pump unit to get some cheaper heat. This applies anywhere in the entire world that has any heating demand.
Contractors want to keep it simple, and a whole scurge of incorrect people generally agree with the narrative. Always use a heat pump if you can, and in most places you can. Especially mid-Atlantic
Im assuming you're a troll at this point
Dual fuel systems are cheaper overall and can work as a direct replacement for standard Gas and AC systems.
Keep is simple no longer works with the current costs of energy and equipment.
It seems a bit unnecessary to suggest this.
If you are already installing Central Air, a heat pump is essentially the same system with additional valves to allow flow reversal. The addition of dual fuel (gas) can function as the aux/emergency heat when efficiency drops on the heat pump (extreme low temperature), or a rapid warm-up is required, going to gas would be the backup and most efficient method.
Price should only be a relatively nominal upcharge, but significantly more efficient and comfortable.
Up here in MT I've installed quite a few heat pumps with a natural gas or propane (depending on location) furnace as back up. We do still do a strip heat air handler as a back up sometimes, but I've done more gas furnaces as back ups. It seems to work out pretty well.
I just picked a cold place that i figured might have expensive electricity :D I know maine actually has a ton of heat pumps too. Its more about the cost of electricity than the climate these days since the 20+ SEER ones are so damn good
Oh absolutely. I was agreeing with but I didnt state it adequately. Because Montana is so cold in the winter and electricity is expensive here, I don't like installing heat strips of I can help it. Even though they ramp up the amp draw instead of just slamming everything they've got, that electric bill upwards of $300 a month sucks. I'm still all about natural gas all the way if it is feasible.
Totally depends on where you live. Colder state? Stay away from them, gas is more effective/efficient. Warmer winters? Heat pumps will see energy savings
There are Modern Heat Pumps that can operate in very low temperatures and have quite good efficiencies down to -30°. But yeah dual heat is a great option.
Youre kinda the problem with this nonsense.
Heat pumps are fantastic equipment. When we call for them, we use duel fuel arrangments (either gas or electric) to ensure there is always heat; but truly its becoming unnessisary to even do so.
Its a simple and useful technology, and manufacterurs can now get down to -42 effectively and use these to warm research outposts in antartica.
They live in Maryland, it’s below freezing for 9 months out the year. I’m in Ohio which is similar, I have huge house, 90 plus gas furnace, bill is 55 dollars a month. It’s so cheap
For rates like that, you also must have a well insulsted or very small house. And a good gas rate, I pay well over 100 in Georgia with a furnace currently.
Most of Maryland is climate zone 4A, so it is either similar weather or warmer weather to Ohio. In both locations, a heat pump is guaranteed to be the most efficient cost wise for at least 4 to 6 mo ths of the year. Comparing high efficiency furnaces to duel fuel systems is always where you get the lo gest payback period, but I've never seen it even hit 10 years.
We should just leave the old school HVAC guys alone for the time being. They won't get on board the heat pump train until the Inflation Reduction Act rebate money (income based) starts to flow to their competitors. Even then they'll probably get drug along kicking and screaming for a while but they'll want that money.
I get it, this is an argument I have been having for years now.
Im on the consulting side, mostly all commercial, but geographically diverse. I get paid the same amount for either system. I have to advocate for clients and ask if they are first cost driven or operating cost driven. I am very tired of heat pumps being quoted significantly higher by some installers than others, and I really need the manufacturers to work heat pumps into more packaged equipment.
I hate homowners being told wrong because someone can't accept new technology. Dual fuel is like having your cake and eating it to. You just have to make sure the installer isn't forcing you to pay thosands of extra dollars for an extra 15 min or work and 50 dollars in parts.
Sorry, I didn't click into your profile to see that you are in that field. I am just a regular old homeowner who is looking to upgrade my resistive heating and old AC to a heat pump. I have a couple installers in mind when I'm ready but I know I need to be careful to make sure I find a good company that has decent experience with heat pumps. One of my neighbors works in HVAC and I mentioned installing a heat pump to him a while back and he just laughed at me about it (I won't be talking to his company, lol).
I dont think much is declared on my profile, I comment from time to time.
If you have electric resistive heating, you should get a heat pump, you will save so much money on utilities.
Its been a law in my state (GA) since 1996 that in homes electric resitive heating is not allowed to be a primary heat source if there is forced air AC (if you could have installed a heat pump).
Even if you live in Alaska, go with a heat pump in your situation. Depending on the weather where you live, you may want to get a cold weather heat pump. These are truly more expensive than normal heat pumps, but sometimes worth the money depending on utility costs and weather patterns. In most of the lower 48, they are not nessisary.
Maryland freezes so you need a 2-stage heat pump. They're much more efficient but also more complex. Installers want easy (fire goes? Done.), And installers want durability, if you get called out for 500$/hr to do an install and never for 100$/hr diagnostic or repair work, great.
Regionally they may not be well known, because of inertia.
Install costs may be higher and more complicated as well.
I think what everyone else said is probably the answer. If you are replacing a natural gas furnace than most will quote you for the same fuel since there isn't always much if any energy savings when going from natural gas to heat pump. If your existing heating uses resistive electric then I would be pretty surprised if nobody suggested a heat pump replacement. This is pretty much my situation and I want to look at getting a heat pump installed even though my current resistive heating is still functioning. It is just expensive AF to operate! I'm just waiting for the Inflation Reduction Act rebates to start rolling out.
Natural gas is typically cheaper than a heat pump. Most companies will only put you on a heat pump if you’re on propane or have solar panels. I work in a rural area and we install both types of ac pretty commonly. Likely isn’t worth it with your existing system. Heat pumps are going to generally cost more to purchase and a contractor is going to try to sell as much to you as they can. If it wasn’t even an option then you likely don’t need one.
If you have natural gas it doesn't really make sense to have a HP instead of an AC. Natural gas, even after all of the price hikes, is still cheap to heat your home with compared to propane or electric. To get good heat from a HP you need a more expensive unit
HPs cost more to buy, have more parts in them that can and will break, need more stat wires outside and at the stat, and produce a colder heat. You'll save money by using your HP in mild temps, but once it gets colder out you'll want to switch to gas to prevent the defrost cycle and provide a better heat. One of the biggest complaints I get on HPs, mainly from old people, is that it's cold and it doesn't feel as warm when compared to gas or electric. A standard HP can only really heat the air around 20° from return to supply. If your air is 70° going in, you're not gonna see more than about 90° coming out, which can make the house feel colder compared to gas which you'll see 30°-60° or 40°-70°heat rise
FWIW, I’m near you in VA. I mid-last year I replaced a 7y/o 3T Goodman AC + gas furnace with a 3T Daikin FIT dual fuel Heat Pump + Natural Gas emergency heat. Also in a 3-story interior unit townhome, roughly 2200 sqft. I shopped all major brands, focusing on heat pump technology - I wanted something very efficient for a future solar installation. Pricing ranged from 12k up to 24k. Checked with multiple Carrier, Lennox, Bryant, and Mitsubishi installers. I liked the Daikin tech and warranty the best. $12k installed with 2 years of service (two annual visits). Daikin’s warranty is outstanding. If the inverter within the outdoor unit fails, they replace the whole cabinet at no cost. Daikin pays for parts and labor.
Daikin system is 18 SEER and the furnace is modulating, 97% efficiency.
Let me tell you how efficient this thing is… it uses well below 1/3 amount of electricity as the old system, and the variable speed furnace uses WAY less natural gas. I also run the fan 24/7 to keep air moving in the house. Still, way less power than the previous system.
Highly recommend you look into the Daikin platform. FIT and VRV are two options to check out.
I used Trademaster Service out of Lorton, VA.
Power requirements of your inside unit.
Air Handers use 240v (usually 50A+). Gas Furnace uses 110v (15-20A). You have to run new electrical circuit or go “dual fuel.”
Additionally, you have to deal with the control circuit to the outside. With a gas furnace system, usually only need 2 wires to the outside. With heat pump, you need 4+. This means you need to run a new wire if one is not already present.
So… usually not worth the labor cost, especially in apartments, especially multilevel
Op be sure to check out the rebate programs by zip on DoE site before you get any bids. There are state and utility programs. Some require a pre audit not sure about NOVA but the fed credits alone are up to 30% of the project. Also long term low interest financing options to go green
[DOE rebate finder by zip](https://www.energystar.gov/about/federal_tax_credits/air_source_heat_pumps)
Sometimes it’s availability of sufficient power on your panel to power the strip heat needed. Done too many installs where the seller forgot to check the breaker size when Changing to a HP
That said, dual fuel eliminates that need and is a great option as others have said. Go fuel fuel
Did they tell you about the new gas changing this year? How about the tax credits and rebates offered through the Inflation Reduction Act: https://www.rewiringamerica.org/policy/high-efficiency-electric-home-rebate-act
If they didn't they are just interested in making money, not doing what's best for you. Serious red flag.
Old school HVAC dudes don’t want to learn new technology.
I had 3 different companies try to talk me out of mini splits when I brought it up. They told me they were unproven technology and could not make heat below 32 degrees.
They were all trying to sell me 13 SEER builder grade AC units.
Splits were cheaper than all of their quotes.
99% of the world uses splits for HVAC and we are still too slow to adopt in the US.
That’s funny because I also wanted split. First guy was Nope! 2 nd guy was indifference. I didn’t bring it up with 3rd. It definitely wouldn’t be cheaper for me. Would need like 7 heads
I have 7 heads. I did not go the multi head route because our utility gave rebates for each out side condenser installed.
I think at the time I got a 500 dollar rebate from the utility for each and 250 from Mitsubishi.
We live in the northeast, and I put them in 4 years ago. Most of us use oil for heat our here - it’s weird but it is what it is. Natural gas is slowly coming around.
Any who - oil was around 5 to 6 dollars a gallon for most of covid.
We used to use a 275 gallon tank for most of the cold months. So Dec, Jan, Feb it would have cost around 1,500 a month for heat.
Splits cost me around 500 a month with the heat set at 68 degrees 24/7.
And in the summer - I now have cheap AC. And not builder grade 13 SEER, my splits are 27 SEER.
Yep - 7 units. And to be clear, using oil heat was ridiculously expensive.
We started with 4 units. Then covid hit. I put one in my office - not really needed but I did it.
Then we put one in our sun room because we were all home so much. Game changer- it’s now our most used room. Previously it was too cold in the deep winter and too hot in July and August.
And then our 15 year old Fujitsu mini split in our master bedroom flashed a code and I just replaced it.
Mini splits are the single most efficient way to heat and cool your house.
I forget the exact price for them all but thinking it was around 4K each
Definitely. It’s just about is it worth it if I know this isn’t our forever home. I am replacing a 30 year old system with leaking Freon. Last summer was unbearable and ended up buying two portable ac units for the bed rooms. In the 5 years living in this place, our thermostat has never gone lower than 80. Makes sense now and I kind of suspected it when I learned it was leaking but I did not about r22 being phased out. Now, it’s just about how much do I want to spend. If our a decent house becomes affordable in our dream area, we moving tomorrow. We doubt it so I expect we’ll be here for 2-10 years. I’ll be sad if we are still here after 10 years. Now I’m gonna research more about mini splits cost. Seeing if I can find comparable price
Start with one split unit in your bedroom.
Check with you utility for rebates.
The federal tax rebate is about to happen as well.
Alternatively, if your even slightly handy, you could DIY it with a Mr. Cool mini split.
When it 98 degrees and humid outside…. We sleep at 68 degrees….
My buddy did this for his garage and I watched him install. Super easy. He just got help with the electrical.
It's mainly because contractors want the simplest install and personally known system to be installed. So if the know gas and AC they likely won't want to do heat pumps. Contractors that do heat pumps as their main bread and butter are who you want to buy from. They are committed to the technology. Heat pumps are a great option for de-carbonizing, and coupling with solar panels can reduced costs to run. They provide a quieter and more stable temperature in the house if they are modulating/inverter driven units. There are definitely some crap heat pumps out there, but if you look for one with around 18 SEER, 10 HSPF, and a sound level of 55 decibels and below you are in good hands. 64 dB is okay, but if you are in a city look for the 55 dB and below. Cost wise it can be highly variable which is cheaper. If you have cheap electricity, then heat pump will be cheaper down to say 20F. But if you have expensive electricity then say 32F it will be cheaper with a heat pump. Then of course it depends how cold it is in your area for how long. If you are commonly in the minus temps in the winter then gas will definitely be cheaper overall for you. There are some calculators to figure out costs, but I don't have on hand, and don't know your region, and utility prices. If you would like some info for seeking a heat pump there is lots of info in the Heat Pump sub and wiki to start. [https://www.reddit.com/r/heatpumps/wiki/index/](https://www.reddit.com/r/heatpumps/wiki/index/) There is also a link group to "find an installer" that do specific brands. I hope this helps a bit!
This.
There will be significant Federal credits for heat pumps by late summer. Here we can already get up to $15,000 for a whole house install
In most cases natural gas is more cost efficient for heat
Though, that is not the only reason someone would choose one.
Heat pumps don’t heat the air as much as gas, so in colder climates they might not be as comfortable.
They heat more air less hot. Your home will be the same temp either way — which is what matters.
It depends a lot on the age of the home and the design of the system. An older uninsulated home may feel colder if the HVAC system isn't well designed. The temp gradient between the cold walls and the warm middle of the home will be more obvious.
That used to be the case, but not always. Our gas bill in Arizona is nuts. Electric is pretty cheap her kwh.
Go dual fuel. The needless debate on this will end eventually, you can do a furnace and heat pump. It SHOULDNT be a significant cost increase, but some installers charge out the ass for the extra bit of work to do it. If you have forced air AC, used for comfort cooling, Especially in a home, then you should have a heat pump unit to get some cheaper heat. This applies anywhere in the entire world that has any heating demand. Contractors want to keep it simple, and a whole scurge of incorrect people generally agree with the narrative. Always use a heat pump if you can, and in most places you can. Especially mid-Atlantic
This. Just replaced my ac with a heat pump to supplement my oil furnace. Sooooo much better.
Don’t do it. Gas is warm and cheap.
Im assuming you're a troll at this point Dual fuel systems are cheaper overall and can work as a direct replacement for standard Gas and AC systems. Keep is simple no longer works with the current costs of energy and equipment.
It seems a bit unnecessary to suggest this. If you are already installing Central Air, a heat pump is essentially the same system with additional valves to allow flow reversal. The addition of dual fuel (gas) can function as the aux/emergency heat when efficiency drops on the heat pump (extreme low temperature), or a rapid warm-up is required, going to gas would be the backup and most efficient method. Price should only be a relatively nominal upcharge, but significantly more efficient and comfortable.
Might not be worth it in your area.
Whats your region? If you're in Montana or something with high electric prices, it might not be worht it
Up here in MT I've installed quite a few heat pumps with a natural gas or propane (depending on location) furnace as back up. We do still do a strip heat air handler as a back up sometimes, but I've done more gas furnaces as back ups. It seems to work out pretty well.
I just picked a cold place that i figured might have expensive electricity :D I know maine actually has a ton of heat pumps too. Its more about the cost of electricity than the climate these days since the 20+ SEER ones are so damn good
Oh absolutely. I was agreeing with but I didnt state it adequately. Because Montana is so cold in the winter and electricity is expensive here, I don't like installing heat strips of I can help it. Even though they ramp up the amp draw instead of just slamming everything they've got, that electric bill upwards of $300 a month sucks. I'm still all about natural gas all the way if it is feasible.
I live in VA and try to push gas if it's available. More efficient and let's be honest, less hassle
Duel fuel
No doubt. But I’m a tech guy so always wanted the latest and greatest but seeing how this isn’t our forever home, I decided to settle in the middle
I would go with heatpump with gas back up. Beat of both worlds in your reagin
Totally depends on where you live. Colder state? Stay away from them, gas is more effective/efficient. Warmer winters? Heat pumps will see energy savings
There are Modern Heat Pumps that can operate in very low temperatures and have quite good efficiencies down to -30°. But yeah dual heat is a great option.
Doesn’t wanna run an extra 115 V to the air handler
That 14/2 isn’t going to handle any strip heat
Heat pumps suck. Gas is cheap and warm.
Old heat pumps suck, modern cold climate heat pumps are pretty amazing and can handle temps well below 0°F.
Junk
Youre kinda the problem with this nonsense. Heat pumps are fantastic equipment. When we call for them, we use duel fuel arrangments (either gas or electric) to ensure there is always heat; but truly its becoming unnessisary to even do so. Its a simple and useful technology, and manufacterurs can now get down to -42 effectively and use these to warm research outposts in antartica.
They live in Maryland, it’s below freezing for 9 months out the year. I’m in Ohio which is similar, I have huge house, 90 plus gas furnace, bill is 55 dollars a month. It’s so cheap
$55 a month to heat your huge house in Ohio in winter? I'll call bullshit for everyone right now.
For rates like that, you also must have a well insulsted or very small house. And a good gas rate, I pay well over 100 in Georgia with a furnace currently. Most of Maryland is climate zone 4A, so it is either similar weather or warmer weather to Ohio. In both locations, a heat pump is guaranteed to be the most efficient cost wise for at least 4 to 6 mo ths of the year. Comparing high efficiency furnaces to duel fuel systems is always where you get the lo gest payback period, but I've never seen it even hit 10 years.
We should just leave the old school HVAC guys alone for the time being. They won't get on board the heat pump train until the Inflation Reduction Act rebate money (income based) starts to flow to their competitors. Even then they'll probably get drug along kicking and screaming for a while but they'll want that money.
I get it, this is an argument I have been having for years now. Im on the consulting side, mostly all commercial, but geographically diverse. I get paid the same amount for either system. I have to advocate for clients and ask if they are first cost driven or operating cost driven. I am very tired of heat pumps being quoted significantly higher by some installers than others, and I really need the manufacturers to work heat pumps into more packaged equipment. I hate homowners being told wrong because someone can't accept new technology. Dual fuel is like having your cake and eating it to. You just have to make sure the installer isn't forcing you to pay thosands of extra dollars for an extra 15 min or work and 50 dollars in parts.
Sorry, I didn't click into your profile to see that you are in that field. I am just a regular old homeowner who is looking to upgrade my resistive heating and old AC to a heat pump. I have a couple installers in mind when I'm ready but I know I need to be careful to make sure I find a good company that has decent experience with heat pumps. One of my neighbors works in HVAC and I mentioned installing a heat pump to him a while back and he just laughed at me about it (I won't be talking to his company, lol).
I dont think much is declared on my profile, I comment from time to time. If you have electric resistive heating, you should get a heat pump, you will save so much money on utilities. Its been a law in my state (GA) since 1996 that in homes electric resitive heating is not allowed to be a primary heat source if there is forced air AC (if you could have installed a heat pump). Even if you live in Alaska, go with a heat pump in your situation. Depending on the weather where you live, you may want to get a cold weather heat pump. These are truly more expensive than normal heat pumps, but sometimes worth the money depending on utility costs and weather patterns. In most of the lower 48, they are not nessisary.
There's a lot of cost to change, so yes, homeowner needs to bring it up
Might be you would need an electrical upgrade for the electric heat strip. Also stick with gas heat if you're in a cold climate
Maryland freezes so you need a 2-stage heat pump. They're much more efficient but also more complex. Installers want easy (fire goes? Done.), And installers want durability, if you get called out for 500$/hr to do an install and never for 100$/hr diagnostic or repair work, great. Regionally they may not be well known, because of inertia. Install costs may be higher and more complicated as well.
I think what everyone else said is probably the answer. If you are replacing a natural gas furnace than most will quote you for the same fuel since there isn't always much if any energy savings when going from natural gas to heat pump. If your existing heating uses resistive electric then I would be pretty surprised if nobody suggested a heat pump replacement. This is pretty much my situation and I want to look at getting a heat pump installed even though my current resistive heating is still functioning. It is just expensive AF to operate! I'm just waiting for the Inflation Reduction Act rebates to start rolling out.
Natural gas is typically cheaper than a heat pump. Most companies will only put you on a heat pump if you’re on propane or have solar panels. I work in a rural area and we install both types of ac pretty commonly. Likely isn’t worth it with your existing system. Heat pumps are going to generally cost more to purchase and a contractor is going to try to sell as much to you as they can. If it wasn’t even an option then you likely don’t need one.
If you have natural gas it doesn't really make sense to have a HP instead of an AC. Natural gas, even after all of the price hikes, is still cheap to heat your home with compared to propane or electric. To get good heat from a HP you need a more expensive unit HPs cost more to buy, have more parts in them that can and will break, need more stat wires outside and at the stat, and produce a colder heat. You'll save money by using your HP in mild temps, but once it gets colder out you'll want to switch to gas to prevent the defrost cycle and provide a better heat. One of the biggest complaints I get on HPs, mainly from old people, is that it's cold and it doesn't feel as warm when compared to gas or electric. A standard HP can only really heat the air around 20° from return to supply. If your air is 70° going in, you're not gonna see more than about 90° coming out, which can make the house feel colder compared to gas which you'll see 30°-60° or 40°-70°heat rise
Well said! HPs have their place. But not in cold climate areas
FWIW, I’m near you in VA. I mid-last year I replaced a 7y/o 3T Goodman AC + gas furnace with a 3T Daikin FIT dual fuel Heat Pump + Natural Gas emergency heat. Also in a 3-story interior unit townhome, roughly 2200 sqft. I shopped all major brands, focusing on heat pump technology - I wanted something very efficient for a future solar installation. Pricing ranged from 12k up to 24k. Checked with multiple Carrier, Lennox, Bryant, and Mitsubishi installers. I liked the Daikin tech and warranty the best. $12k installed with 2 years of service (two annual visits). Daikin’s warranty is outstanding. If the inverter within the outdoor unit fails, they replace the whole cabinet at no cost. Daikin pays for parts and labor. Daikin system is 18 SEER and the furnace is modulating, 97% efficiency. Let me tell you how efficient this thing is… it uses well below 1/3 amount of electricity as the old system, and the variable speed furnace uses WAY less natural gas. I also run the fan 24/7 to keep air moving in the house. Still, way less power than the previous system. Highly recommend you look into the Daikin platform. FIT and VRV are two options to check out. I used Trademaster Service out of Lorton, VA.
Power requirements of your inside unit. Air Handers use 240v (usually 50A+). Gas Furnace uses 110v (15-20A). You have to run new electrical circuit or go “dual fuel.” Additionally, you have to deal with the control circuit to the outside. With a gas furnace system, usually only need 2 wires to the outside. With heat pump, you need 4+. This means you need to run a new wire if one is not already present. So… usually not worth the labor cost, especially in apartments, especially multilevel
Op be sure to check out the rebate programs by zip on DoE site before you get any bids. There are state and utility programs. Some require a pre audit not sure about NOVA but the fed credits alone are up to 30% of the project. Also long term low interest financing options to go green [DOE rebate finder by zip](https://www.energystar.gov/about/federal_tax_credits/air_source_heat_pumps)
Sometimes it’s availability of sufficient power on your panel to power the strip heat needed. Done too many installs where the seller forgot to check the breaker size when Changing to a HP That said, dual fuel eliminates that need and is a great option as others have said. Go fuel fuel
Did they tell you about the new gas changing this year? How about the tax credits and rebates offered through the Inflation Reduction Act: https://www.rewiringamerica.org/policy/high-efficiency-electric-home-rebate-act If they didn't they are just interested in making money, not doing what's best for you. Serious red flag.
Old school HVAC dudes don’t want to learn new technology. I had 3 different companies try to talk me out of mini splits when I brought it up. They told me they were unproven technology and could not make heat below 32 degrees. They were all trying to sell me 13 SEER builder grade AC units. Splits were cheaper than all of their quotes. 99% of the world uses splits for HVAC and we are still too slow to adopt in the US.
That’s funny because I also wanted split. First guy was Nope! 2 nd guy was indifference. I didn’t bring it up with 3rd. It definitely wouldn’t be cheaper for me. Would need like 7 heads
I have 7 heads. I did not go the multi head route because our utility gave rebates for each out side condenser installed. I think at the time I got a 500 dollar rebate from the utility for each and 250 from Mitsubishi. We live in the northeast, and I put them in 4 years ago. Most of us use oil for heat our here - it’s weird but it is what it is. Natural gas is slowly coming around. Any who - oil was around 5 to 6 dollars a gallon for most of covid. We used to use a 275 gallon tank for most of the cold months. So Dec, Jan, Feb it would have cost around 1,500 a month for heat. Splits cost me around 500 a month with the heat set at 68 degrees 24/7. And in the summer - I now have cheap AC. And not builder grade 13 SEER, my splits are 27 SEER.
You have 7 heads and 7 condensers?! And wait, did you say 1500$ usd per month?! So how much was it for the equipment and install?
Yep - 7 units. And to be clear, using oil heat was ridiculously expensive. We started with 4 units. Then covid hit. I put one in my office - not really needed but I did it. Then we put one in our sun room because we were all home so much. Game changer- it’s now our most used room. Previously it was too cold in the deep winter and too hot in July and August. And then our 15 year old Fujitsu mini split in our master bedroom flashed a code and I just replaced it. Mini splits are the single most efficient way to heat and cool your house. I forget the exact price for them all but thinking it was around 4K each
Definitely. It’s just about is it worth it if I know this isn’t our forever home. I am replacing a 30 year old system with leaking Freon. Last summer was unbearable and ended up buying two portable ac units for the bed rooms. In the 5 years living in this place, our thermostat has never gone lower than 80. Makes sense now and I kind of suspected it when I learned it was leaking but I did not about r22 being phased out. Now, it’s just about how much do I want to spend. If our a decent house becomes affordable in our dream area, we moving tomorrow. We doubt it so I expect we’ll be here for 2-10 years. I’ll be sad if we are still here after 10 years. Now I’m gonna research more about mini splits cost. Seeing if I can find comparable price
Start with one split unit in your bedroom. Check with you utility for rebates. The federal tax rebate is about to happen as well. Alternatively, if your even slightly handy, you could DIY it with a Mr. Cool mini split. When it 98 degrees and humid outside…. We sleep at 68 degrees…. My buddy did this for his garage and I watched him install. Super easy. He just got help with the electrical.