• Home Home

Renter fuels debate after voicing frustrations with landlord's HVAC decision: 'Am I doing something wrong?'

"You are disenchanted with poorly designed heat pumps, not the technology in general."

"You are disenchanted with poorly designed heat pumps, not the technology in general."

Photo Credit: iStock

A Redditor made a post grumbling about their landlord's decision to install a heat pump, but commenters quickly pointed out that heat pumps can be phenomenal — when set up correctly. 

The post was titled "Anyone else disenchanted with heat pumps?" The tenant explained the many problems they experienced with a cold-weather heat pump, including cold spots, leaks, uneven temperatures, and more. They concluded their post by asking, "It seems it is not a steady, reliable heat … Am I doing something wrong?"

Heat pumps can be an exceptional HVAC choice to lower utility bills and use less energy. When you choose the correct setup, you don't have to worry about the issues OP details. 

Important factors to consider include home size, climate, energy needs, insulation quality, and existing ductwork. An oversized unit can cause unnecessarily high energy costs. But an undersized unit won't heat or cool a home properly. 

Unfortunately, many commenters pointed out that this was a neglectful landlord problem, not a heat pump problem. The landlord likely chose the more convenient, less effective option. 

One commenter explained that many American homes benefit from centrally ducted systems rather than multi-split or localized systems. However, installing ductwork is a larger investment that a landlord may not be interested in making.

Watch now: How bad is a gas stove for your home's indoor air quality?

How bad is a gas stove for your home's indoor air quality?
0 seconds of 1 minute, 12 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
01:12
01:12
 

Furthermore, the house may not have modern insulation and sealing, allowing hot air to escape through walls and gaps. Improving a home's insulation can drastically increase a heat pump's efficiency.

If you're interested in switching to an energy-efficient heat pump, EnergySage's Heat Pump Marketplace can help you find the perfect one for your home. With the right heat pump, you can lower utility costs without sacrificing comfort. And you'll also be reducing carbon pollution to help the planet. 

FROM OUR PARTNER

Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone number

Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area.

To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.

Solar panels can save you more than $50k over their 25-year lifespan, and EnergySage can help you save as much as $10k on installation. Which begs the question — isn't that worth an email or two?

Energy-efficiency incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act can cover up to 30% of the heat pump installation cost with a tax credit. But take advantage of this incentive soon, as President Donald Trump is trying to roll back these benefits

Some commenters defended heat pumps, with one saying, "Nope, still love mine."

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.

Another person said, "I have two in my home and they work great and keep the place perfectly comfortable."

One of the post's top comments clarified for OP, writing, "You are disenchanted with poorly designed heat pumps, not the technology in general."

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.

Cool Divider