As every homeowner knows, HVAC contributes heavily to the cost of utilities.

Seeking to give others the benefit of their experience, a Colorado homeowner took to Reddit to share the cost savings they obtained by switching from a gas furnace to an electric heat pump powered by solar panels.

"We live in Gunnison, CO," the homeowner explained, posting to the r/heatpumps subreddit. "It is high altitude and can be very cold in winter."

They added: "Hope that is helpful for someone!"

In a somewhat unique twist, the original poster said that their home uses in-floor heating. Also known as radiant heating or simply floor heating, this method uses hot water carried in tubes, electrical cables, or hot air to warm the floors. This heat then transfers to the surrounding air, heating the entire room, according to the Department of Energy.  

To accommodate this method of heating, the OP installed an electric heat pump water heater, which warms the water used in their radiant heating system. This heat pump water heater is powered largely by home solar panels. 

The OP illustrated their significant cost savings using a bar graph that showed the breakdown of their energy costs per month over the last several years. The graph showed that, after installing the electric heat pump, the homeowner went from paying as much as $170 per month for natural gas in the peak of winter to as little as $20 per month. 

While the OP paid more for electricity than they had previously, their overall cost savings on utilities were still significant. 

Fellow Redditors jumped into the comments to applaud the OP's upgrades and cost savings. 

"I'm in CA and I can't wait to go all electric and remove the gas line," said one commenter. "Much less chance of the house burning down in an earthquake." 

Which of these factors would most effectively motivate you to buy a heat pump? Lower energy bills 💰 Better temperature control 🌡️ Helping the planet 🌎 I'd never buy a heat pump 🚫 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

"Over the mountains from you in Salida," chimed in another. "Thanks for this information as I'm looking to add both solar and heat pumps." 

Others urged the Colorado homeowner to upgrade their gas stove to an induction cooktop and to swap out their gas-powered dryer for a heat-pump version, thereby reducing their gas costs even further.

"I have a LG heat pump dryer that I just got and it's miles better than electric or gas," a Redditor shared. "Quiet, doesn't cook my clothes, uses hardly any energy." 

While installing solar panels and switching to electric heat pumps can result in significant savings on utility costs, all of the available information can be enough to make one's head spin. Thankfully, easy-to-use online tools from EnergySage and Mitsubishi help simplify the process. 

EnergySage makes home solar easy and understandable with the ability to compare online quotes from vetted local installers. Plus, its powerful mapping tool allows you to see the average cost of solar installations in your state and to identify available rebates and other financial incentives. 

While purchasing and installing solar panels is not within everyone's budget, Palmetto's LightReach program allows homeowners to lease solar panels for as little as $0 down, bringing all the same environmental benefits of solar panel ownership and allowing participants to lock in low energy rates. 

When it comes to heat pumps, Mitsubishi's free website simplifies the process of deciding which affordable option is right for your home. 

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