Comments on: Better Electric? Not For Heating http://blog.lucidrealty.com/2009/11/09/better-electric-not-for-heating/ The real story on the housing market and real estate industry in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:17:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Alex Tompsidis http://blog.lucidrealty.com/2009/11/09/better-electric-not-for-heating/comment-page-1/#comment-390 Alex Tompsidis Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:43:59 +0000 http://blog.lucidrealty.com/?p=1620#comment-390 Heat Pump + condensing gas furnace will actually save you approximately 25% in overall heating bills. A heat pump will only work down to about 40 degrees outdoor air temperature, that is why they are not very popular north of Georgia or Arizona. However couple them with a decent heat source for temps below 40 degrees and you have a fine set up. That is, a heat pump is MORE efficient than a gas furnace for temps between 40 and say 65 degrees outdoor. Heat Pump + condensing gas furnace will actually save you approximately 25% in overall heating bills.

A heat pump will only work down to about 40 degrees outdoor air temperature, that is why they are not very popular north of Georgia or Arizona. However couple them with a decent heat source for temps below 40 degrees and you have a fine set up. That is, a heat pump is MORE efficient than a gas furnace for temps between 40 and say 65 degrees outdoor.

]]> By: Gary Lucido http://blog.lucidrealty.com/2009/11/09/better-electric-not-for-heating/comment-page-1/#comment-387 Gary Lucido Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:45:01 +0000 http://blog.lucidrealty.com/?p=1620#comment-387 Yeah, I was debating about discussing heat pumps. I had one in Richmond and it wasn't too expensive but when there is little heat outside to pump inside they don't work to well, do they? Then you are back to resistance heat. I've never seen them in Chicago and assume this is the reason. Yeah, I was debating about discussing heat pumps. I had one in Richmond and it wasn’t too expensive but when there is little heat outside to pump inside they don’t work to well, do they? Then you are back to resistance heat. I’ve never seen them in Chicago and assume this is the reason.

]]> By: Dan Cullen http://blog.lucidrealty.com/2009/11/09/better-electric-not-for-heating/comment-page-1/#comment-384 Dan Cullen Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:01:27 +0000 http://blog.lucidrealty.com/?p=1620#comment-384 Your comments regarding electric resistance heat are right on the money. I've been warning clients for years to be prepared for huge bills if they buy a home with an electric furnace. On the other hand, the newest generation of super efficient air source heat pumps are quite good at turning electrical energy into heat and may be a good choice for some homes. In our climate you will still need some back-up heat in the form of electric resistance or gas when the weather turns really cold. Your comments regarding electric resistance heat are right on the money. I’ve been warning clients for years to be prepared for huge bills if they buy a home with an electric furnace. On the other hand, the newest generation of super efficient air source heat pumps are quite good at turning electrical energy into heat and may be a good choice for some homes. In our climate you will still need some back-up heat in the form of electric resistance or gas when the weather turns really cold.

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