Heat Pumps
A Heat Pump is a year round comfort conditioning system that uses refrigeration equipment to supply warm air in winter and cool air in summer. Heat pumps aren't new. The concept of heat pumps was introduced in 1852. In 1927, the first practical model was in use. Heat Pumps were introduced to the American market in the 1950's. Today millions are in use all across the country, successfully heating homes in even the coldest climates.
Heat pumps are growing in popularity because higher energy costs and chances of future fuel shortages have led homeowners to seek ways of reducing their heating and cooling costs. The new generation of heat pumps available today are extremely reliable and cost efficient.
Cost-efficient heating
A heat pump provides both heating and cooling capabilities in one system. Although the initial cost for a heat pump may be higher, remember, you don't have to install both a furnace and a central air conditioning unit. And, because the heat pump uses energy more efficiently over time, the savings will more than make up for the initial higher cost.
A heat pump will supply about three times more heat than energy used. The greatest savings with a heat pump usually occurs during the heating season.
To find out how much a heat pump will help you save annually, check operating costs and electricity prices with your local electric utility. In South Dakota, energy costs to heat and cool a home with a heat pump are generally 25-30% less than conventional heating and cooling systems.
Energy Comparison
Heat pumps are growing in popularity because higher energy costs and chances of future fuel shortages have led homeowners to seek ways of reducing their heating and cooling costs. The new generation of heat pumps available today are extremely reliable and cost efficient.
Cost-efficient heating
A heat pump provides both heating and cooling capabilities in one system. Although the initial cost for a heat pump may be higher, remember, you don't have to install both a furnace and a central air conditioning unit. And, because the heat pump uses energy more efficiently over time, the savings will more than make up for the initial higher cost.
A heat pump will supply about three times more heat than energy used. The greatest savings with a heat pump usually occurs during the heating season.
To find out how much a heat pump will help you save annually, check operating costs and electricity prices with your local electric utility. In South Dakota, energy costs to heat and cool a home with a heat pump are generally 25-30% less than conventional heating and cooling systems.
Energy Comparison
Efficiencies |
350% |
200% |
100% |
90% |
80% |
65% |
Ground Source Heat Pump |
$3.26 |
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Air-to-Air Heat Pump |
$5.71 |
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Electric Heaters |
$11.42 |
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Propane Furnace |
$12.41 |
$13.66 |
$16.81 |
The best way to compare a fuel source is by determining how much a BTU of heat will cost. To do this, we must also know the efficiency of the unit producing the heat. Electricity is 100 percent efficient. Only heat pumps can exceed the 100 percent efficiency level. They can do this by using the refrigeration process to amplify heat from the air or ground.
The best efficiency a propane furnace can attain is 90 percent efficiency. Most older propane furnace will achieve only a 65 percent seasonal efficiency.
The chart above gives you the truest comparison available for determining which energy source and equipment provides you with the best energy buy. As you can see, the ground source heat pump provides by far and away the cheapest energy. This is the primary reason so many Rosebud Electric members are choosing heat pumps, and primarily the ground source heat pump, to heat and cool their homes and businesses.
In most cases the extra cost for installing a ground source heat pump will come back in savings in a matter of seven years. From that point on, individuals are paying themselves a healthy bonus.
The energy costs used in the above comparison is $.056 per kilowatt hour for electricity (our electric heat rate) and $.97 for propane.
The best efficiency a propane furnace can attain is 90 percent efficiency. Most older propane furnace will achieve only a 65 percent seasonal efficiency.
The chart above gives you the truest comparison available for determining which energy source and equipment provides you with the best energy buy. As you can see, the ground source heat pump provides by far and away the cheapest energy. This is the primary reason so many Rosebud Electric members are choosing heat pumps, and primarily the ground source heat pump, to heat and cool their homes and businesses.
In most cases the extra cost for installing a ground source heat pump will come back in savings in a matter of seven years. From that point on, individuals are paying themselves a healthy bonus.
The energy costs used in the above comparison is $.056 per kilowatt hour for electricity (our electric heat rate) and $.97 for propane.