Anyone here have experience with a heat pump in the home?

J

JBR

Senior Member
Location
Southern Canada mtn. valley, tad west of Rockies
We live in a region with winter temperatures dropping down as low as -22C (-9F) and summer tempts sometimes as high as 27C (98F). Actually, that winter low figure is more common than the summer high. Keeping our house cool in summer hasn't been a problem, and we do have an efficient wood-heating system (with an electric backup). But it requires a fair stack of wood, and sometimes an increased electric-power bill.

Well, heat pumps are something of a trend these days, so I'm wondering about the practicalities versus the cost of purchase & installation. One misfortune experienced by several early-adopting local home or business owners has been their pump's computer-boards fried by power surges (replacement has been possible, but it's an expense).

Please share any experience & informed considerations about heat pumps.šŸ™‚
 

I had one when I lived in Northern Virginia, and it froze up several times. When that happens, it stops functioning as a heat pump and will heat your house with ordinary electricity. I was not particularly fond of it and it took several days for the ice to melt so that it could return to ordinary operation. I came to view it as somewhat unreliable.
 
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It was over 25 years ago, but it seemed to happen when the outside temp fell below 20F. The outside coils are supposed to be periodically warmed up to prevent ice from forming and I suppose that becomes increasingly difficult when it gets really cold.
 
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JBR said:
We live in a region with winter temperatures dropping down as low as -22C (-9F) and summer tempts sometimes as high as 27C (98F). Actually, that winter low figure is more common than the summer high. Keeping our house cool in summer hasn't been a problem, and we do have an efficient wood-heating system (with an electric backup). But it requires a fair stack of wood, and sometimes an increased electric-power bill.

Well, heat pumps are something of a trend these days, so I'm wondering about the practicalities versus the cost of purchase & installation. One misfortune experienced by several early-adopting local home or business owners has been their pump's computer-boards fried by power surges (replacement has been possible, but it's an expense).

Please share any experience & informed considerations about heat pumps.šŸ™‚
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Heat pumps are awesome but donā€™t work well in ā€˜reallyā€™ cold weather which is why they werenā€™t popular in Ontario. Here the temperature doesnā€™t get too cold. When and if it does the heat pump just stops working which is fine since we have 2 other sources of heat. I donā€™t know anything about power surges but weā€™ve only had ours for 3 years. I think they are wonderful for heat AND for air conditioning in the summer. Super easy maintenance. You need to take the filters out every few months and clean them. Itā€™s super easy and takes a few minutes.
 
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I have had Trane heat pumps for many years, the system I have now is about 12 years old....no major problems, I have to turn on emergency heat when temperature drops down into lower teens and this will cause an increase in electric bill. I live in Texas and heat pumps are the most efficient source of heating and cooling around here.....my advice would be to talk to a good HVAC contractor in your area, they can help you as to which source is best for your climate.
 
Jackie23 said:
I have had Trane heat pumps for many years, the system I have now is about 12 years old....no major problems, I have to turn on emergency heat when temperature drops down into lower teens and this will cause an increase in electric bill. I live in Texas and heat pumps are the most efficient source of heating and cooling around here.....my advice would be to talk to a good HVAC contractor in your area, they can help you as to which source is best for your climate.
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Ditto...Below 30 degrees outside just keeps it running with very little heat..
 
Had one when we lived in Sonora. Not very effective. As stated above, very little help in COLD weather.
A lot of residents had propane tanks. We didn't . :cry:
 
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I, too, live where winter temps drop below freezing. I have a heat pump in my home. It's great for cooling the house in the summer but does not adequately warm the house in the winter so I have to use supplemental heating. My heating bills are eye-popping.
 

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