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Re:US companies are producing heat pumps that work below -20... by Scoundreller on Wednesday December 28, 2022 @10:27AM (#34161897)
I think the ultimate combo will be heat pumps + wood pellet stove as supplemental heat.

Then you can cutoff the gas grid connection and its associated standby/account/blah blah charges. It’s a big sunk cost in a lot of places that messes with the economics of switching to heat pump as primary heat.

Pellet stoves are semi-automated. Around 90% efficient. If you already have central heat pumps, you can install one and let your HVAC circulate the heat around. Can stockpile as much fuel as you want. Cheaper than oil or propane and not much more expensive than firewood once accounting for improved burn efficiency. Just need to empty the ash gray once a week or so, and dump a nice smelling bag in for every ~24h of operation.

Relatively straightforward install: just need a wall to punch through and a standard power outlet. Minimal clearance requirements. Fun to watch the fire tornado.

Big downside is they need some electricity (mainly for for the powered vent). Hit or miss when it comes to insurance companies that think explosive gas systems or high current electric devices are safer.

Re:US companies are producing heat pumps that work below -20... by 2OEH8eoCRo0 on Wednesday December 28, 2022 @11:21AM (#34162501)
Pellet stoves require electricity to run the auger. Also- nobody gives away free pellets but it's pretty easy to come by free wood people are giving away.
Re:US companies are producing heat pumps that work below -20... by inthepipe on Wednesday December 28, 2022 @01:28PM (#34164044)
Gas heaters also have around 90% efficiency, I think. It seems like gas is strictly better?
Re:US companies are producing heat pumps that work below -20... by Scoundreller on Wednesday December 28, 2022 @02:50PM (#34165056)
Depends on your constraints. The CO2 round trip is a lot longer for gas.