My air conditioner also functions as an air-to-air heat pump. I also have a propane powered boiler that provides heat to my in-floor system in my basement floor and through a heat exchanger provides heat for my forced air system for the entire house. During the shoulder season I have a choice to use the electric heat pump or the propane heated boiler system. We live in a rural area and don't have natural gas.
Converted to US dollars my power is 8 cents per kw hr ( due to BC's extensive hydro electric system and socialist subsides
) and my propane is $ 2.00 per gallon and the price contains an ill conceived 9% carbon tax. Using the efficiencies etc, the heat pump is cheaper but can anyone give me an idea about how much the life of the compressor would be reduced by using it as a heat pump during the shoulder season vs just using it as a AC unit for three months of the year. For instance, will it cause me to have to buy a new heat pump sooner? My existing one is 7 years old and has only run for 21 months as an AC unit. I'll probably sell the house in 10 years. Do you think it would make it that long if I add 40 months as a heat pump and 30 months as a air conditioner in that time?
The other question is what should the ambient temperature be before I start running the heat pump. Thanks. I'll gladly provide any extra info you think you need to answer the questions. Edit: My unit is a Trane .Thanks.
Converted to US dollars my power is 8 cents per kw hr ( due to BC's extensive hydro electric system and socialist subsides
The other question is what should the ambient temperature be before I start running the heat pump. Thanks. I'll gladly provide any extra info you think you need to answer the questions. Edit: My unit is a Trane .Thanks.
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