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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,031
Registered: ‎10-22-2018

Cold Climate Heat Pump Owners

My heat pump is now 11 years old. If something goes wrong, I'll replace, not repair. I live in an all electric community and a heat pump is my only option. I'm doing "pre-research."

 

If you live in a cold climate and have replaced yours in the past few years, are you happy with your choice? Anything you would do/not do over again? Any specific options that made a big difference?

 

@Carmie   Didn't you recently install a new one? How's it going?

 

Thanks ......

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,197
Registered: ‎07-26-2019

Re: Cold Climate Heat Pump Owners

 In my area some  who do not have access to natural gas to heat their homes have  2 systems in place such as a heat pump for cooling and have a propane gas tank to heat their homes.   If I have it to do over, I'm going to go with a propane tank to heat my home .

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,031
Registered: ‎10-22-2018

Re: Cold Climate Heat Pump Owners

@skatting44  If only I could! This is a townhouse community and they're not permitted.Woman Sad

Honored Contributor
Posts: 22,267
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

Re: Cold Climate Heat Pump Owners

@PickyPicky3   We installed a new model a few years ago.  The original heat pump was installed when we built our home.  There was nothing wrong with it, but our son who works in HVAC said heat pumps do not last longer than about 16 years and ours was older than that by quite a few years.  He felt we should replace before it died on it's own.

 

You are correct to replace and not repair an older unit.

 

The newer unit is much quieter and more efficient. Our heat and AC bills went down. The older unit was a York.  The newer model is a Trane.

 

My son and his friend installed it for us.  He works on these units and said the Trane is the best and though expensive will save us money.  So far it has.  

We are heat pump fans.  I have lived in homes with gas, oil, and hot water heat and prefer the heat pump.

 

York was a good model too.  It served us well over many years.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,031
Registered: ‎10-22-2018

Re: Cold Climate Heat Pump Owners

Hi @Carmie       Did you get a standard heat pump or one of the newer models designed for cold climates that allow the unit to keep functioning as a heat pump at low temperatures and not switch to back-up?  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 22,267
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

Re: Cold Climate Heat Pump Owners

@PickyPicky3   I honestly don't know.  My son just decided and installed it for us.  I'll ask him and let you know.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,031
Registered: ‎10-22-2018

Re: Cold Climate Heat Pump Owners

@Carmie  Thanks. That would help a lot. How great to have a son in the HVAC business.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,079
Registered: ‎09-01-2010

Re: Cold Climate Heat Pump Owners

My advice is to just find the best, and most  trustworthy heat pump business in your area, and let them advise you.   

We have been dealing with the number one heating and air business in this area for nearly 30 years.   When we need to replace a heat pump, we go with what they recommend, and have never had any problems.   

I am in WV, and we experience bitter cold temperatures during the winter.   The mention of polar vortex and arctic air means I will switch my thermostat to Emergency Heat so the heat comes thru the inside unit like a forced air furnace, instead of the outside unit running nonstop.   

The original heat pump for this house was a Ruud and we are on our second Lennox over the course of 39 years.   We had the current system installed 18 months ago for $5500.