What are the Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps?

In the video we break down the Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps.

Chapters
0:34 - What are the Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps
3:00 - What are the cons of Heat Pumps?

Read the full article below.

Air-source heat pumps are becoming an increasingly popular way to heat and cool homes, but like any technology, they have both advantages and disadvantages.

On the pro side, air-source heat pumps are energy-efficient, using much less energy than traditional heating and cooling systems. They also provide both heating and cooling, making them a versatile option for year-round comfort. Additionally, air-source heat pumps don't produce any emissions on-site, making them a more environmentally-friendly option than some other heating and cooling methods.

However, there are also some cons to consider. One is that air-source heat pumps may struggle to provide enough heat in extremely cold temperatures, so they may not be the best option for those living in very cold climates. They can also be more expensive to install than traditional heating and cooling systems, although the long-term energy savings may make up for this cost over time.

Overall, whether or not an air-source heat pump is the right choice for your home will depend on a number of factors, including your climate, energy needs, and budget. In this video, we'll be diving into the details of these pros and cons to help you make an informed decision about whether an air-source heat pump is the right choice for you.

[TonyFernandezjkdjedi]

I just got one installed a week ago, my house has never been cool or as fresh since we moved in here 10 years ago. Huge props to heat pumps. And we live in triple digit weather.

[Bajotaz]

My 7yr old Mitsubishi Ecodan (air-water) handle -20C/-4F without help from auxiliary inline heater. (still working at -32C/-25F with aux heater helping)
I live ~450km/280miles from the polar circle and have no problem with heating my home with heatpump.
My SCOP is between 3.2 and 4.5, depending on how cold the winter gets.

[GEOHHADDAD]

I understand that you’re going to be paying more in the winter to heat your home with respect to electricity bills. 

We’re on propane and live in coastal California. Propane heating is wildly expensive, especially since our furnace isn’t very efficient. I don’t see that it would be likely that we would be paying a lot more in the winter that would be in electricity rather than gas. But that was good information to know.

First question: I thought heat pumps were more efficient at cooling than traditional air conditioners and would save us money on summer electric bills ….is that not correct? We need a 3 ton unit and we’re looking at a 3 ton 15 seer. we would probably use a larger unit except that we already put an independent mini split in our master suite which is on its own upper floor.

Second question: shouldn’t heat pumps be located outside? One the reasons where making this change is that our old unit is hung underneath our house on earthquake fittings and straps and vibrates the floor in the dining room whether it’s heating or cooling it’s a 15-year-old unit and it’s just past its lifetime. It’s also very inefficient. 

The installer I talked to wanted to still put the new heat pump unit underneath the house. This doesn’t make any sense to me. The last thing I want is a chance of replicating vibration through the house as the unit ages or if something goes wrong - We have all deducting we need, and it would simply involve diverting the ducting from the existing unit to the heat pump. Other people I know have their units outside and it seems like it would be far less expensive to install it outdoors. Summer temperatures can get to 95 to 100 and winter temperatures can get low, but never freezing. A cold night where we live is, 40°. It is a rare night that gets down below that and freezing temperature is only encountered very rarely.

[bossman]

14% increase in electricity prices in 10 years is less then inflation so nothing to worry about. Nice vid thumbs up

[mihaiachim]

@ 1:36 in my country as far as i know we have 0 incidents followed by the death of tenants!
I have seen several cases where the exhaust pipe was pulled from the boiler and the burnt gas entered the house - the tenants had headaches and called us because the boiler signaled the lack of flame...
instead, the chances of fires from overloaded electrical installations are much higher. Besides, almost all fires known to me are caused by various faults in the electrical installation ;)

[Thisishard]

I have a heat pump .
My heat pump is so efficient in winter and summer.I’m talking 60% less.Biggest problem is the noise. Not like a central air unit that’s quiet.Loud screech sound on startup and finish are normal.It’s normal to turn on 10-15 times an hour because they maintain temperature to precisely. If it’s set on 70 and it goes to 71, it comes on. Constant cycling on and off. Never knew this. Builder put ours outside my bedroom wall where my headboard this.The noise is horrible at night

[wilsoneashoian]

Would heat pump work as good as furnace in Sacramento California region? I am planning to replace my gas furnace with heat pump. Thanks in advance.

[mactan_sc]

places seem to still be gouging 200% + to absorb all the rebates and discounts

[TheNephilim]

Great explanation ! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you 🙏

[jce]

What modifications need to be done to a house if I want to switch from a ac/furnace system to a heat pump?

[OlafsonN]

Wondering if there are units now capable of lower temperatures. Segment on the news here in Canada yesterday and this would not do.

[Calin-Calibaba]

so can i assume it would be useless in weather where -5F is a good day during the winter?

[johnnyk]

I live in NH it gets brutally cold in the winter should I just skip the heat pump entirely?

[gj]

Would there be any synergy with the heat pump and other structure, like if you had an attached greenhouse or sunroom, would a heat pump work better or worse?

[dockaos]

If it's cold outside drawing cold air in then heating it up seems like a great idea for electric companies

[hearthemermaidssinging]

I found the actual temperature range very useful. I live in a maisonette with double high ceilings in the main rooms, and the upper floor kitchen/dining room is mostly open to the living room below. Mild winters. Under the those circumstances, would air to air ductless heat pumps work?

[pokey]

What efficient heat system do you recommend for a cold climate area like Maine? Thank you for this important video.😃

[Etacovda]

the only reason heatpumps are more expensive to install is because in the US you guys get raped by these HVAC techs.
A fully installed 7kw (24, 000btu) heatpump in NZ is around 1500USD, including the heatpump.
They're absolutely trivial to install and theres precisely zero percent more work because it does heating and cooling, what a joke.

My 7kw unit has required exactly zero servicing by HVAC techs, all you have to do is clean the filters and blow out the coils inside and out, which is 100% free.

The comments about heatpumps being bad below 40f is a joke as well, this is like saying 'cars can't tow boats' and using a toyota corolla as your example. If you're in a cold climate area you get a cold climate heatpump, which can pull their full rated power to down to -5F.

You're an hvac tech? lol. Monkey Wrench is appropriate.

[ericcomfort]

Is the exterior unit (condenser) the same as a normal A/C unit? Is the difference the actual interior “furnace unit”. I’m just a DIY’er and honestly don’t know. The reason I’m asking is my original heat pump compressor failed (28 yrs old) and I’m looking to replace it.

[davidpestana]

it is freezing outside how is it going to transfer heat from outside to inside ?