A recent Reddit discussion had homebuilders buzzing about whether heat pumps are "a no-brainer" for new construction. The post in the r/heatpumps community attracted dozens of comments from homeowners and experts.
For a new home built with no natural gas available in Southern Rhode Island, where temperatures rarely dip below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the OP asked if heat pumps make perfect sense since they were already planning to install air conditioning.
The post resonated with many homeowners facing similar decisions, highlighting the growing interest in energy-efficient home heating and cooling solutions.
"Yes, no brainer, propane will be more to run," one Redditor said in the comments.
Another user looked at it from another angle: "Turn the question around — assuming you have decided on heat pumps for economy, comfort, and environmental benefits (tons of CO2 savings every year), why switch? I can think of no argument that would lead someone to install oil or propane — especially if installing A/C."
Several Redditors noted that Rhode Island's mild climate makes it ideal for heat pump technology. One user explained that properly sized heat pumps eliminate the need for auxiliary heating in such locales. Another commenter said that dual-fuel setups operate as a switchover system, while all-electric heat pumps run in parallel with auxiliary heating, resulting in more efficient operation overall.
No matter which way you slice it, heating your home is responsible for a huge portion of your home's energy bills. Upgrading your HVAC system is one of the best ways to lower your energy bills while helping the planet at the same time. Heat pumps outperform traditional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in energy efficiency while delivering both heating and cooling alongside financial benefits such as tax credits, rebates, and long-term savings.
While it can be complicated to find the right HVAC installer, there are great tools available to help you find an efficient system at a good price. For example, EnergySage has a heat pump marketplace that allows users to compare quotes from vetted installers.
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? |
For more information on making your home more energy efficient and more tips like trying EnergySage, check out The Cool Down's guides on installing heat pumps, solar panels, and heat pump water heaters.
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Which of these factors would most effectively motivate you to buy a heat pump? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
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