How a Heat Pump Works

Re:How a Heat Pump Works by bruckie on Friday February 10, 2023 @11:34AM (#34741941)

My parents installed a whole home humidifier a couple of years ago. It cost way more than $300 (closer to $2k installed—maybe they just got the wrong one?), and it also costs a lot to operate each month in additional electricity usage. Having a system that doesn't require one sounds much nicer.

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Re:How a Heat Pump Works by oh_sigh on Friday February 10, 2023 @05:44PM (#34747022)

I got quotes in that range as well here in boulder, so I installed one myself a week ago in about 2 hours(aprilaire 700 - $310) with no special HVAC knowledge, though I am mechanically and electronically inclined.

I haven't checked the electricity usage but I can't imagine it is much. The system is literally just a small fan and a solenoid valve. Maybe your parents opted for a steam system, whereas mine is called a flow through style.

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Re:How a Heat Pump Works by coryrc on Friday February 10, 2023 @11:11PM (#34749504)

I think you got confused with DEhumidifier. Humidifiers are cheap to operate.

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Re:How a Heat Pump Works by bruckie on Sunday February 12, 2023 @11:48AM (#34764296)

Nope. It's a humidifier that uses resistive heating to vaporize water, and that takes a lot of energy.

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Re:How a Heat Pump Works by coryrc on Monday February 13, 2023 @04:55PM (#34781289)

That's like cautioning about the price of cars because you bought a Hummer instead of a Corolla. Drum humidifiers use a couple watts on any central forced-air system.

And, since the heating season is there only time you need humidifying on this context, all the "waste" heat is just heating your home.

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