Re:Do heat pumps work in cold climates?
by throw0101a on Thursday January 12, 2023 @09:41AM
(#34354135)
> I dont understand how heat output from a heat pump vs heat output from a gas / oil / wood burner / resistive heater are at all different.
A gas/oil/wood burner are not 100% efficient in creating heat, and release carbon into the atmosphere.
A resistive heat is at most 100% efficient: all the electrons go to making the coil glow, like old school light bulbs. So 1 kW of electricity is 1 kW of heat (which has some BTU equivalent for old fashioned folks).
A heat pump does not create heat, but moves it from one place to another with refrigerant and pumps. So 1 kW of electrical usage can move 3 kW of heat.
A gas/oil/wood burner are not 100% efficient in creating heat, and release carbon into the atmosphere.
A resistive heat is at most 100% efficient: all the electrons go to making the coil glow, like old school light bulbs. So 1 kW of electricity is 1 kW of heat (which has some BTU equivalent for old fashioned folks).
A heat pump does not create heat, but moves it from one place to another with refrigerant and pumps. So 1 kW of electrical usage can move 3 kW of heat.
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coefficient_of_performance
* https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Coefficient_of_perfo...