[ferguson]

I am in the process of having a new home built in Pittsburgh, PA. The home is a split entry with 1400 sq. ft. on the first level and 400 sq. ft. finished on the lower level. The walls will be R-21 and the ceiling will be R-40. My builder has given me the option of either a gas furnace or an electric heat pump and I am not sure which is my best option in terms of operating costs. In the past three years the cost of natural gas in our area has increased significantly. On the other hand I have been told by a local HVAC contractors that a heat pump will not work well in our area.

Any input from the PROS on the advantages, disadvantages, of gas vs. electric heat pumps and recommendations would be appreciated!

 

[RoBoTeq]

Tell them you will pay extra to have a heat pump with a gas furnace backup. That way, no matter which energy source goes up you will be able to utilize another one.

A properly installed heat pump should do fine in Pittsburg, but during severe lower temperatures it will need help.

 

[udarrell]

On mild days a heat pump might perform adequately however, in cold weather forget the heat pump and go to natural gas or whatever else will work well and be cost-effective to operate.
- Darrell

 

[docholiday]

Thats simply untrue. Sorry Darell but a HP will work fine in Pittsburg and a gas furnace can not even come close as far as annual operating costs.

 

[junkhound]

Doc and RoBo are right on.

HP beats NG now, LOTs more in the future.

Just finished reading an article about GTL (gas to liquid technology). LNG cost at the terminal now is 1/2 that of domestic gas, so there is a big profit for that, but even a 50% markup on LNG does not compete with sulfur free diesel vial GTL. Article stted that the patented Shell GTL process takes $10 worth of NG, combines it with CO2, and turns it at high temp and pressure into a barrel of diesel. At even $2 gal for diesel wholesale, thats a BIG profit margin. Article expects Nat gas to just keep going up. Down side for HP is if your local utility is mostly NG, you can expect to see elec. go up too. LNG is expected to possibly be a short term phenomenon as the 'stranded reserves" of nat gas are converted to diesel vs. LNG. There is even extra profit to be made is Kyoto credits in parts of Europe get applied to the CO2 used in the process.

 

[hvacprodmgr]

As a resident of Pittsburgh myself, I am in full agreement with Doc and Robo. The Dual Fuel system will work real well in our market as the heat pump will work well and the furnace will come on below a given set-point.

I am actually considering doing the same on my next system.

Which Electric do you have, Duquesne Light or Allegheny Power?
Which Gas, Peoples, Equitable or Columbia?