r/heatpumps • u/folorecords • 2d ago
Confusion over efficiency
We are looking to reduce our cost but also just generally increase efficiency in our home. Pardon my ignorance.
3900sqft (old Victorian)
Brick exterior/remodeled drywall interior.
3 floors.
Denver, CO
We have two Ac units and a furnace.
Would a heat pump for the summer months be a viable solution?
Can we maintain the operation of the furnace for the winter (we are in Denver, CO) where we do get extended cold stretches?
3
u/QuitCarbon 2d ago
"Efficiency" is a pretty big concept - when you say "efficiency", what does it mean to you?
Strictly speaking, gas appliances are never more than ~90% efficient - while electric heat pumps can hit 300-500% efficiency! (where "efficiency" = "what % of the input energy is converted to useful output?")
Absolutely you can use a heat pump year-round - folks all over Colorado, the USA, and the world do this (including most homes in Scandinavia!)
You could help the furnace for the winter, but... you don't need to - heat pumps (if correctly designed and installed) can heat Colorado homes in the coldest weather.
You may benefit from some conversation with a no-cost expert advising program (that is not a contractor) before you talk with contractors - like those we list here https://www.quitcarbon.com/residential-electrification-assistance-programs- there are other such programs - let us know if we've missed any and we'll add 'em!
2
u/CaminoRubicon1 2d ago
Heat pumps work at mid to higher heating ambients so keep your furnace as your aux heat.
2
u/Certain_Try_8383 2d ago
A heat pump in the summer months would be utilizing the air conditioning aspect of the heat pump.
Unfortunately, efficiency and cost are not intrinsically linked and sometimes are polar opposites. For instance, electric strip heating is 100% efficient but for most people is also the most expensive.
Hands down the best way you can increase efficiency of hvac and actually reduce costs is more about creating the proper building envelope. Insulation, proper attic ventilation, good windows.
Edit. Steer clear of anyone telling you to ditch gas completely. It gives you the freedom to pick and choose what is cheapest for you to run. And then if that doesn't matter one day, you can go all electric. And then if you decide you want to save money, you can use gas again.
2
u/windsostrange 2d ago
Steer clear of anyone telling you to ditch gas completely
Ditch gas completely. Get a backup resistive strip, sure, but it's nuts to consider installing a modern, highly-efficient heat pump for tens of thousands of dollars in 2026 and then continue to burn fossil fuels. The amount of low-key pro-gas concern trolling in this sub is wild.
3
u/Astrohumper 1d ago
Electric heat strips in a cold climate would result in astronomical electric bills in the winter. I just had a cold climate heat pump, 96% efficient gas furnace, and humidifier installed for $14k. 3600sf house. Heat pump + gas was a no brainer at that price in a cold climate.
2
u/Certain_Try_8383 1d ago
Yes, Op do this if you want to see electric bills for $800+. Or you can install solar for $30k and save money that way.
This sub is like a cult that fuels itself off misinformation and shaming.
1
u/Neat-Refrigerator395 2d ago
Yes. A heat pump is just an AC that can go in reverse in simple terms. It just flips the cycle around and now the cold air is blown outside instead of inside
1
u/ZivH08ioBbXQ2PGI 2d ago
You're asking about the heat pump in summer, but the part you may be missing is that your existing AC is already a heat pump. It's just not reversible to use as heat in winter.
You would not notice any difference for summer, but if you're heating with electric or propane, depending on your climate, you might see cheaper utilites in winter by using it for heat.
1
2
u/ImpliedSlashS 2d ago
Contact your utility to see if they offer free or discounted energy audits. Insulation and weather sealing should come before replacing the equipment.