A former HVAC installer took to Reddit to question the validity of claims around heat pumps and their efficiency. In a post on the r/heatpumps subreddit, they explained their confusion.
"I've been out of the loop, was a gas fitter, hvac installer 30 yrs ago (building boom Crash in the 90's)," the poster said. "I find it hard to wrap my head around the fact that new heat pumps (mini splits) are almost 5x more efficient than my 92% afue gas furnace .. are the claims true?"
The truth is that heat pumps are incredibly efficient and a great way to save money on your energy bill amid rising energy costs worldwide.
Heat pumps are significantly more efficient because they don't burn gas or use electricity to heat the air. Instead, they pull ambient heat from outside — or, in some cases, underground — to keep your home warm and cozy during the chilliest winter months. These systems are far more efficient and use virtually no gas compared to traditional HVAC systems.
In the summer, heat pumps essentially operate in reverse: They pull the ambient heat from inside your home and leave nothing but cooler, more comfortable air.
TCD's HVAC Explorer is the perfect way to find a system that's right for you and save you the most money possible on your energy bills. It can connect you with trusted local installers and trusted partners.
Palmetto is a fantastic example of one of those partners; it makes it easy to upgrade your HVAC affordably. Palmetto can save you up to 50 percent on your installation, hook you up with a leasing plan that requires no money down and payments as low as $99 a month, and help you enjoy the comfort of your new HVAC system with 12 years of free maintenance. That will help you save even more money, as you won't pay a dime for any potential repairs.
Pairing your new heat pump with solar panels is a great way to extend your savings even further, and TCD's Solar Explorer can help you find trusted partners to help get your process started.
Stay warm all winter long with the Apple of intelligent space heaters Kelvin is the Apple of space heaters, designed for energy efficiency and maximum comfort. It's completely silent and intelligently controlled, with setup taking just 5 minutes. Built from premium materials like aluminum and glass, Kelvin works beautifully as a full-home heating system or as the perfect solution for that one room that never feels warm enough. |
On top of that, the free Palmetto Home App is a great way to earn up to $5,000 in savings toward home upgrades through simple actions in your everyday life.
Commenters were quick to explain things to the poster in this case.
|
Which of these factors would most effectively motivate you to buy a heat pump? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Lower energy bills 💰 "Yes, because they don't create heat, they move heat," one said. "The heat is already in the air, all a heatpump does is compress the heat so that it can be pumped in. It's Just a AC in reverse, nothing complicated. Though 5x efficiency is only ideal conditions. 2x to 3x is realistic on a cold winter day."
"Absolutely. Combustion gives heat. And, off gases. The heat pump concentrates heat that exists in nature and moves it into your home to keep you comfortable year round," another Reddit user wrote.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
Cool Picks
