From heating oil to the thermal pump: the story of providing the owner of one house

The heating and cooling of your home is the largest part of the energy costs in your home. But not the number of people who think about the heat pump as a solution.

the Energy Information Management Data shows that 31 % of energy consumption comes from air conditioning and space heating. No wonder The latest survey of energy costs in CNET 78 % of Americans are found tense about their benefit bills.

While the HVAC-saving systems have gained this popularity in recent years- Gas ovens outperform Over the past three years – the CNET survey also showed that only 14 % of the respondents are planning to upgrade to a Heat pump To help reduce these energy costs.

In CNET, we Adult fans of heat pumps Because of its efficiency and ability to heat and cool your home by transferring heat instead of generating it. While heat pumps are often announced as an upgrade of the house -saving home, actual savings depend on where you live, the electricity rates and the replacement HVAC system.

So, how much can you provide with a heat pump? We asked the house electricity expert and the owner of Pennsylvania’s house Will KangHe is also an older researcher in the restoration of American weapons, a non -profit organization calling for the efforts of the electrification of the house.

Heat pump case study: Pennsylvania

Heat pumps are an energy -saving way to keep your home comfortably throughout the year. Heat pumps work on electricity and stir the heat from inside your home to the outside to cool. Then it reflects the heating process by pumping heat inside.

We talked to the owner of a house in Pennsylvania that follow the costs of heating and cooling over the past nine years. The house was built in the late fifties and used air conditioner and heating oil before installing the heat pump in January 2022.

Before installing a heat pump, the electricity costs for the owner of the house included air conditioning, lights and home appliances. In 2019, the owner of the house completed Energy audit To assess the efficiency of the house and make improvements in the weather in 2020.

We reviewed their energy cost data to evaluate the total energy saving from the transformation into a heat pump compared to the use of electricity and heating oil.

Before installing a thermal pump, the average electricity bill in the owner of the house amounted to $ 138 per month. After the heat pump, its average bill has increased to $ 153. While the total electricity costs for the owner of the house, it provided the total heating and cooling expenses by installing a heat pump. Here is how.

Total energy costs

The following table displays the total costs of heating and electricity from 2016 to 2024. There is a significant decrease in the total costs after installing the heat pump in 2022.

year	Annual energy cost
2016	2800 dollars
2017	$ 2700
2018	4000 dollars
2019	$ 3,050
2020	2100 dollars
2021	$ 2500
2022	1700 dollars
2023	1900 dollars
2024	1850 dollars

Does the heat pump provide you with money?

The short answer yes, Heat pumps provide you with money. But the amount of your saving depends on the system that replaces it, how much energy you use and where you live.

Your electricity bill may rise because thermal pumps use electricity for both heating and cooling. But heat pumps will provide money in general because you will not pay for fuel heating. Natural gas is cheaper than delivered fuel, such as propane or heating oil. So, if you replace Muslim fuel, you will provide more than one person who replaces the natural gas heating system.

You can determine the potential energy savings in your home using Power star calculator Or re -connect America Personal electrical scheme.

Energy savings depend on the place where you live

As we mentioned, the site plays a major role in providing potential thermal pumps due to climate, home size, insulation and energy costs.

In cold climates where heat is used frequently, those who use Muslim fuel will provide more money with a heat pump more than those who use natural gas. However, some are concerned that severe cold temperatures affect the efficiency of the heat pump.

“It is possible that many people hear that heat pumps do not work as they are really cold. This is not true,” Kang said. “Many modern heat pumps work in negative Fahrenheit temperatures.”

For example, and Mitsubishi H2i It still continues to work to minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit. Under these temperatures, thermal pumps can lose efficiency and need more energy to work.

The electricity costs in your area can also affect the amount of heat pump saving. Houses with weak insulation or resulting doors and windows may use more electricity to maintain internal temperatures. Kanj recommends a Home energy audit To make your home as effective as possible.

Electrical bills may be expensive to be a problem for states that have high rates, such as Hawaii, Concitect and Texas. But heat pumps are more efficient than traditional systems, so they may not be as much as you think. For example, the Pennsylvania electricity bill for the owner of the house increased by only $ 15 after turning into a heat pump, and it continues to provide money in general by getting rid of heating oil costs.

It depends on your heating fuel

The type of fuel you use for heating affects the amount of money you can Wrap.

“If people use Muslim fuel in their families, we believe that there is a great possibility, then this will provide by turning into a heat pump,” Kang said. “People in the southeast and areas with the most appreciated climates have a greater possibility to save money as well.”

The owner of the house fled Pennsylvania’s case of $ 800 in his first year with a heat pump compared to the previous year using air conditioning and heating oil.

The estimated annual savings from turning into a heat pump of concrete fuel are $ 810 more than a natural gas switch. Kang said: “The savings in natural gas are lower, but if you live in a place where you use more air conditioning, the heat pump may help you provide more,” Kang said.

Heat pumps may not significantly reduce your bill if you already have cheap heating fuel, such as natural gas. But the prices It is expected to rise in 2025. So installing a heat pump provides long -term efficiency for energy, and possible environmental benefits and benefits when operating with renewable sources such as solar energy.

Comparison of the savings of thermal pumps

Here’s how much you can provide a heat pump based on the current fuel type, according to Understanding America.

Fuel	Annual estimated savings
Delivery of fuel (propane or heating oil)	840 dollars
Oven heat	$ 780
Natural gas	$ 60

How much does the oven and air conditioner cost?

Heating and cooling costs vary, and heating fuel also plays a major role.

Natural gas, electricity, roban and fuel are the most popular fuel for heating, but use varies depending on the region. Natural gas is the most common heating fuel, and is used in it 47 % of American families. It is the main source in the northeast, the Middle West and the West. Electricity is more common in the south, where winter is more moderate.

In general, heating and cooling costs are more expensive in maximum temperature areas. For example, Massachusetts use heat in winter more than warmer climates such as Florida. This means that home owners in cold climates spend more on heating, while those in the hottest areas are paying more opposite conditioning.

The type of heating fuel also affects your costs. Natural gas tends to be cheaper than electricity or fuel that is delivered, such as propane and oil.

Below is an idea of ​​how the site and the source of heating affect the costs based on Environmental impact evaluation data.

state	Average use of natural gas (one million British thermal units)	The average annual heating cost	The first heating source	details
Hawaii	30.3	$ 1,538	Minimum heating (6 %)	Warm climate, only 57 % of the homes use the frequency current
Alaska	125.1	$ 1,509	Space Heating (Use 99 %)	Cold climate, only 7 % houses use the frequency current
Northern Dakota	94.3	$ 1,648	Natural gas	Cold climate, high heating costs due to the use of natural gas
Florida	50.3	$ 1,654	electricity	Moderate winter classes, high cooling costs due to the use of the frequency current

Various types of heat pumps

Air source heat pumps are the most common, but you have other options to choose from your home and budget.

• Air source heat pump: heat transfer between your home and the open air using air channels in your home. This is a good option for Replace the gas oven With heat pump for heating and cooling.

• A small divided heat pump: a system without channels that provide heating and cooling targeted for individual rooms or your home areas. A good choice for homes without sewers or searching for flexible temperature control.

• Earth’s thermal heat pump: Earth’s temperatures are used to transfer heat. A Earth’s thermal heat pump It costs more than one open air source heat pumps but can provide more efficiency. These systems are a strong option if you give priority to permanent benefits and you can invest in the higher price.

• The thermal pump absorbing: This system is similar to the air source heat pump, but it uses energy from natural gas or steam instead of electricity. This is less common, but a A good choice for big homes Or commercial buildings.