The effective rate in the example bill is .32998c/kwh and it’s lowering by 2 cents, around 30c/kwh. That seems high; my overnight rate is about 7c/kwh, which is the only time it’s affordable to use the heat pump instead of gas
What’s the cost per kWh for natural gas?
Switching from resistive heat will see great results. Switching from natural gas, this isn’t enough. It’s why carbon taxes are a thing - price in the external costs.
Natural gas is much cheaper. I’ve always read you’ll save money switching from resistive, propane or oil, but gas was always absent that.
I assumed switching from gas would leave a similar operating cost, perhaps a bit higher. We all still have to do it eventually though. Then I had an ac mini split die so I’m replacing it with heat pump. However my furnace and central air are well past their expected life so I got a quote to see if I could take advantage of the incentive. However not only was the installation quote 70% higher than five years ago, but estimated cost $1,100 more per year to operate than gas. I can’t afford that.
Heat pump rates would certainly help. Either way I need to get back on Eversource. I switched to a green energy supplier that was cheaper at the time but prices have gone way up
Do consider updating the central air with a heat pump. Shouldn’t cost much more at all, at least comparing high efficiency models. A heat pump is an air conditioner, except it swings both ways. With a gas furnace, it gives you the option. I rigged up Homeassistant to pull natural gas and electrical rates and figure out (roughly) what the break even is with my heat pump. And if I get a solar array, I can run it for that too.
I’m expecting to replace central air and furnace about the same time. While I’d like to go all heat pump, that’s so much more expensive to run than gas, and I don’t have enough unshaded south facing roof for solar panels to cover it.
I’d probably do the hybrid, and try to find the temperature where a each is cheaper, as you say. But they’re asking an additional $30k, which is insane. I’ll need to spend a few years saving up for that
My mom’s Bryant hybrid let’s you enter the price of electricity and gas, then automatically chooses the cheaper of the two. At like 40 degrees N latitude and $0.10/kwh, the heat pump is used about 1% of the time.
Unless you’re in a mild winter area, I’d skip the hybrid, and put the price difference into increasing the air conditioner efficiency.
Haha, I wish. 42° N. (but moderated by coast) and $0.35/kwh
…. And even if I could afford solar the first quote says I have unshaded south facing roof to cover only 46% of my current usage
They always put an auxiliary heat in with heat pump, even if it’s a cold climate one. Usually electricity, sometimes propane. So get them to put in a gas furnace. It’s exactly the same install as a conventional AC with gas furnace. It should cost more only because there’s a reversing switch. So $30k is absolute lunacy. That should cover a full geothermal solution with drilled wells and all that (which is worth it if you can pay for it but not for the average person).
My thermostat knows it’s a heat pump, and I can set a minimum threshold temperature (outdoor) at which the pump doesn’t run and it just goes straight to gas. I can set it so the gas basically alwaus kicks in
Yeah, I already use ecobee thermostats which can do that.
I can only hope they’ll continue to work until I either save that kind of money or something improves on the price
It all depends on how efficient your heat pump is and how efficient your gas boiler is. Gas is not always most efficient. In my house, down to about 40F my heat pumps are more efficient in terms of monthly bill. Below 40 gas is cheaper. I have a 95% efficient tankless boiler and SEER 20 mild temp heat pumps. Your millage may vary, if you had a 80% efficient boiler heat pumps are going to be way better.
I have heat pumps and didn’t even know this was a thing! Thank you!
I’m switching for air quality near my house and safety. Cost isn’t the driver for me.
