Heat Pumps

elated · ‎06-09-2010

I moved into a house that has a heat pump. I thought they were suppose to be energy efficient. Much to my surprise the bills have been very high and I don't know what to do. I am not use to these high charges. Does anyone have any suggestions ?

kate2357 · ‎02-26-2012

Where do you live? The reason I'm asking is heat pumps do not work when temp is below 32 degrees (or there about). Below freezeing our heat pump turns off and whatever your other source of power is, electric, natural gas or oil kicks in for your furnace.

I live in the PNW and we have relatively low electric rates so we get a break on our power bill when the temps are above freezing. Natural gas is much higher this year, so our total power bill is much higher this year vs last year.

One of the options our utility company offers is a budget plan to even out power bills. Not sure if they can/will do this for new accounts, but you could call and ask. Basically they look at what that house uses in power for a year - say it's $1200 annually, they then bill you about $100 month.

Good luck ... I know our last power bill was way higher than we expected as were our neighbors. I do not like surprises when it comes to paying out more money.

"What we practice daily is what we build a life on. Practice peace, love & kindness."

D Kay · ‎04-20-2010

My only suggestion would be to lower the temperature on the thermastat and use an energy effecient space heater in the room/rooms you stay in the most. Also, use an electric blanket if needed. And, energy efficient windows if you don't already have them Heat pumps in general are not as warm as gas heat.

geezerette · ‎03-16-2010

A lot depends on where you live and how old the heat pump is. Older heat pumps are inefficient in very cold weather.

Also, have you had the unit checked? It may need part or coolant replacement.

elated · ‎06-09-2010

@kate2357 wrote:
Where do you live? The reason I'm asking is heat pumps do not work when temp is below 32 degrees (or there about). Below freezeing our heat pump turns off and whatever your other source of power is, electric, natural gas or oil kicks in for your furnace.

I live in the PNW and we have relatively low electric rates so we get a break on our power bill when the temps are above freezing. Natural gas is much higher this year, so our total power bill is much higher this year vs last year.

One of the options our utility company offers is a budget plan to even out power bills. Not sure if they can/will do this for new accounts, but you could call and ask. Basically they look at what that house uses in power for a year - say it's $1200 annually, they then bill you about $100 month.

Good luck ... I know our last power bill was way higher than we expected as were our neighbors. I do not like surprises when it comes to paying out more money.

I live in Kentucky. I checked into a budget plan but it stated you need to live in the home for 10 months or use the previous owners'bills. I moved into the home in September. I keep the thermostat at 72 degrees but the house is still very cold.

sann · ‎05-30-2012

I have a heat pump, and my home is total electric ....I've lived in this house almost 20 years and the most expensive bill thus far was 156 dollars and that was due to arctic blast several years ago...most times it runs from 75 to 100 dollars per month

Meowingkitty · ‎06-19-2010

I live in Arizona and have a total electric house built in 1986. Our a/c with a heat pump was replaced about 8 years ago. For a 2100 sq foot, two story house with no pool our electric bill on the managed payment plan is $130 a month all year round. We keep the a/c at 79 in the summer and 73 in the winter.

goldensrbest · ‎03-10-2010

There are many heat pumps being put into homes here in MAINE.

When you lose some one you L~O~V~E, that Memory of them, becomes a TREASURE.

geezerette · ‎03-16-2010

@elated wrote:
@kate2357 wrote:
Where do you live? The reason I'm asking is heat pumps do not work when temp is below 32 degrees (or there about). Below freezeing our heat pump turns off and whatever your other source of power is, electric, natural gas or oil kicks in for your furnace.

I live in the PNW and we have relatively low electric rates so we get a break on our power bill when the temps are above freezing. Natural gas is much higher this year, so our total power bill is much higher this year vs last year.

One of the options our utility company offers is a budget plan to even out power bills. Not sure if they can/will do this for new accounts, but you could call and ask. Basically they look at what that house uses in power for a year - say it's $1200 annually, they then bill you about $100 month.

Good luck ... I know our last power bill was way higher than we expected as were our neighbors. I do not like surprises when it comes to paying out more money.

I live in Kentucky. I checked into a budget plan but it stated you need to live in the home for 10 months or use the previous owners'bills. I moved into the home in September. I keep the thermostat at 72 degrees but the house is still very cold.

@elated

Is it actuallly cold or does it just feel cold to you?

Heat pumps work differently than regular gas furnaces. They pull heat from the outside and bring it inside. It will do this even with a degree or two, so it can often feel like the blower is putting out cold air. Unlike a gas furnace for example, which heats the air and definitely feels warm every time it blows air into your home.

I've lived with a heat pump for years, and quite honestly, when it's cold and cloudy I'm always a bit cold in the house. Also, my highest bills are always in the winter in the coldest months, as opposed to when the heat pump is cooling in the summer. However my heat pump is just a few years old and is much cheaper to run than the one I replaced.