what state do you live in scott?Lee
On Tue, Mar 03, 2009 at 05:18:32AM
-0500, Scott Howell wrote:
> Folks, as it is 14 degrees outside this morning, I have been wondering
> about something. I am stuck with a heatpump at least for a while, so
> getting rid of the unit of course would solve my problem but since
> that is not an option, let me ask a question.
> When it gets this cold outside, the compressor outside will still run
> and one of the emergency or backup heat strips generally will come on
> to supplement the heat that doesn't exist. These heater strips are
> typically 5Kw and 10Kw. The system will use first the 5Kw and the 10Kw
> as necessary, which means a total of 15Kw if you kick on the emergency
> heat. THe only advantage of the emergency heat is the compressor is
> not running and you get heat that is around 120 degrees or maybe a
> little less. So, I am wondering on days when the temperature is so
> cold that the heatpump can't really extract warmth from the outside
> air, would it make sense to switch to the emergency heat? Would this
> save me any money? I imagine it will come down to how much electricity
> is being used and that may be the simple answer, but I am curious if
> anyone has explored this question and has any thoughts?
>
> Thanks,
--
"... there could be talking bunny rabbits, spiders who write English messages
in their webs, and for that matter, melancholy choo-choo trains. There could
be, I suppose, but there aren't--so my theory doesn't have to explain them."
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