FWIW to you, just some knowledge to share. --50.82.xxx.xxx

I have the hyperheat ductless systems with no supplemental heating. This shouldn't be an issue for this particular building. I have another place with an air source heat pump that's ineffective below 32 degrees. Backup heat there is EBB which the tenant controls. --209.122.xx.xxx

Yea, PA gets too cold to use heat pumps effectively. VA is about as far north as I would go with one, and even there there were many days we were just COLD inside. But heat pumps are just about all they use around here. SOME (very few) have propane or oil furnaces. --50.82.xxx.xxx

--107.216.xxx.xxx

We even give them a fact sheet on move in since all ours have heat pumps. Since the heated air coming out can seem cool. Helps if people are used to gas heat. --73.40.xx.xx

We've eliminated gas heat because so many people don't want to pay the extra bill. --67.43.xxx.xxx

Can't seem to teach some people that, and they crank the AC down to 50 and wonder why the unit frosts up and quits instead of making it colder in the house. --50.82.xxx.xxx

A heating system is more then installing a HVAC system where the building envelop needs to upgraded where the ceiling is spray foamed along with walls are spray foamed so the heat transfer to outside is minimized. The newer high efficiency heat pumps work better in lower temperatures where the high efficiency split heat pump as the compressor operates at a variable rate where electric resistant is not. On average about half the current. If a building was very well insulated then there no need for heating or cooling system as the building would be net zero where solar panels would provide power. After spray foamed interior then insulation on the outside walls then stucco over. Windows upgraded as well where there are heat pump water heaters where indoors extract heat from the indoor outside air. So in the end in order to operate a energy efficient rental unit or house the rent has to higher to recover the extensive capital expenditure over time. The new Tesla is using a heat pump for heat where the range is extended in cold weather. The future is slowly upgrading insulation where step by step the envelop is improved. To heat or cool a poorly insulated building is two forces fighting each other. A HVAC system is sized on the heat loss and heat gain. Fiber glass is a garbage insulation where there are air pockets and mold where in the house slowly room by room getting rid of the moldy fiber glass insulation then spray foaming with DIY kit then installing bubble wrap. One wall last year was at 0 degrees Celsius when the outside temperature was -20 degrees Celsius where broke out wall then spray foamed then a layer of bubble wrap then new drywall. Done the bathroom walls and ceiling where now the heat stays in. With a combination of improving envelop along with installing a high efficiency split heat pump there will be a great reduction in energy consumption along the HVAC system will last longer as less time on. --99.236.xxx.xxx

Robert, my man, you always have good info but for the love of GAWD can you please start using paragraphs? I can't follow what you post and end up not reading it, and it's good info I am missing. --50.82.xxx.xxx

I was a licensed home inspector in southern Indiana for seven years. We do have some heat pumps here but I would not use them any further north than this. I would estimate about 10% of the houses are inspected had heat pumps. They can be very expensive when temperatures get below about 20°F --99.92.xxx.xxx

But...if you size the heat pump for the three days its really cold or the 5 days it's over 100...it's too big the other 355 days and therefore less efficient. --69.80.xx.xx

This winter was warmer earlier then colder in January and February. Insulating the house is going to take a few years where can not use DIY spray foam kits when the temperature drops below room temperature. Have a thermal camera where found many deficiencies in the walls along with other areas of the house When houses are built the level insulation was only to the level of code at that time where the solution was to put a larger HVAC system which is a poor solution. Fiber glass insulation the heat transfer increases over time where air pockets decrease the R value. Well fiberglass is the cheapest insulation out there Rockwool along with spray foam is a much better product as the R valve does not drop over time. The local HD stores here the shelves are filled with nothing but fiberglass insulation where over time going to get rid of fiberglass completely. One wall was 0 degrees Celsius when the outside temperature was -20 degrees Celsius where broke out wall then spray foamed then installed a bubble wrap and new drywall where the windows are the weakest part of the wall now. Since installing a steel roof there is no need for AC here as some days in July and August get very hot. Last year put a storm door where found significant improvements in keeping the heat in. Right now there is snow on the ground although the sidewalks and roads are cleared. In December changed out the furnace to a two stage where the lower stage fires at lower rate then if temperature is not meet the second stage fires where the high efficiency furnace was noisy. --99.236.xxx.xxx

Just received a bill for my mom's place (that we are now renting to a travel nurse) for the month ending Feb 16. Wow - that is an expensive electric bill, but for what she is paying, it is all good! --67.43.xxx.xxx