Mitsubishi heat pump here. We have central heating, but just to test the heat pump I turned it on when the temp was -17 last week and it pumped out heat, no problem. And the thing is quiet.
Changing heating for my house
- Thread starter malibuguy79
- Start date
Your house needs a primary heat source that is automatic. Especially if you ever want to sell it.
If the boiler needs replacement consider a propane one if natural gas is not available.
I think there are heat pumps that produce hot water for heating but never looked into it
OP - why did a pipe in the wall break?
If the boiler needs replacement consider a propane one if natural gas is not available.
I think there are heat pumps that produce hot water for heating but never looked into it
OP - why did a pipe in the wall break?
My parents old insert version is lined with fire brick which helps keep the metal nice and warm also.
The Soapstone on my friend’s stove is so nice. It’s not crazy blazing heat, warms up pretty quick and then just radiates heat from all sides for hours on a couple logs on low. Contrast to the pot belly stove at hunting cabin gets crazy hot, definitely does not seem to radiate as far or as long and needs a lot more wood. Granted cabin is not the same insulation versions as home.
I don’t recall the brand but my other friend had a smaller (but F’n heavy also) woodstove. Outside air source maybe 1.5” supply, and had I think ceramic tiles mounted onto it. Sort of like the soapstone but maybe 4x4 and thick tiles. He did a raised floor with metal studs, cement board, tiles and ducts in the bottom to the back, with a fan. That kept his 1930’s place very nice. We had also replaced his old boiler with a new Weil McClain and SuperStor indirect water heater many years back.
I personally at this point, at least here in NY, would still want some primary heat source boiler/furnace. Currently it’s 8F outside. The new arctic heat pumps can pretty much handle all of it these days, if installed correctly and of course insulation. For secondary it would be tough between a direct vent, self-feeding pellet stove or a nice woodstove like the soapstone. I can always find wood somehow in dire emergency situations, pellets maybe not.
Those all sound like fun projects. The stove I have doesn’t have any soapstone, but it still gives off a wonderful heat without being overbearing. Depending on wood species, ours will do “coal bed to coal bed” burns of about 8-12 hours on a single load. I’ve heard that Woodstock’s Progress stove is even more efficient and burns longer.
Agreed on the primary heat source being paramount with a backup for arctic blasts like we are experiencing now. My heat pumps have been doing fantastic here down to 13f so far. The drop to 7 this weekend will be the real kicker. Having the woodstove as backup heat and cooking gives me great peace of mind. I try to keep 3 years worth of firewood up on racks at any given time so my wood has at least 2 years of seasoning time before use. All of it scrounged around town when trees fall down. It’s gotten to the point where people text me pictures of trees by the curb or downed trees around town so I can scrounge it. I donate about a face cord of that wood each year to folks struggling financially, so others are more inclined to point out supplies to me.
Yeah, I had gas up near Chapin SC by Lake Murray. Gas heat rules in my book. Lived there for 16+ years.
Now new home at the coast in NC side of the border not far from N Myrtle Beach and heat pump in the new home. I dont like it for two reasons.
We LOVE to sleep in a cold home at night, come morning we turn up the thermostat 9 degrees to 73. On cold days it takes forever to get there. The other thing that I think many people do not think about, all this rave about heat pumps vs natural gas for people who do have a choice. If you have natural gas you are not using your outdoor HVAC unit for many months over the winter. I am sure you might be close to doubling the life of the unit this way.
Our last home had two units. With a gas pack on the main floor, builder supplied Heil units, still running strong when we sold the house 16 years later in 2023. Buyers had both units inspected by an HVAC inspector who does not sell units, meaning a real inspector. We still drive by our old house at times, both units are still there from 2006. (we drove by Thanksgiving 2025 on the way to my son's house.
Interesting. I grew up in the mtns of WNC When my parents built their house in 1988 they installed a heat pump and it was great and reliable.
There are cold climate heat pumps used in Canada and elsewhere. Sounds like your problems are with certain brands of heat pump.
Around me all the tree trimming places advertise free firewood. They have to pay otherwise to bring to town or other recycling. They will cut it in whatever lengths you want and drop it in your driveway.
I only have a fire pit that is rarely used since I work nights and am sleeping then. They will be full diameter correct length, you just need ti split them.
AWESOME for you to help others that way.
My mom is from Ashe County. Maybe all I’ve always had junk heat pumps?? So what heat pumps are good? Trane? Carrier?
Man I wish they would do that here. Would save me a lot of work, lol.
Regarding the donations: I’ve been homeless, so I know what it’s like to struggle. Anything I can do to help someone else down on their luck, I will. I can’t always help financially, but I love the zen of making firewood and it doesn’t cost me much more than some 2 stroke mix, bar oil, some sweat and some time.
Yessir, Trane/American Standard are what I consider top tier. The AS units are slightly less expensive, same compressor and coils, but less “Oohh ahhhh” features.
The Carrier (and their subsidiaries) units are also great with their top end systems being among the most efficient systems out there.
Carrier has some information on their cold climate heat pumps.
Mitsu seems hit or miss.
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