I was driving around shopping a couple weeks ago (OK, driving a single car, but I did arrange my errands so that I minimized mileage), and listening to NPR’s Here & Now. They interviewed Dr. Vijay Modi, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at New York’s Columbia University, head of the Quadracci Sustainable Engineering Lab, former member of the UN Task Force on Sustainable Energy for All, and current leader of the UN working group on Energy Access for All, part of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Whew! Are you impressed yet? So when Dr. Modi talks, I listen intently.
Of course not everyone will be able to implement this solution, but I think it’s important to know that it is available for investment. And “it” is: Electric heat pumps. Not sexy, but well worth exploring, whether you need a new heat/cool system right now or not.
According to Dr. Modi, the vast majority of homes in the US are still heated with some form of fossil fuel; or if using an older electrical system, it’s inefficient. Modern electric heat pumps work to heat the air by taking outside heat and moving it indoors. On all but the coldest days, that makes it more efficient than standard furnaces. They also take heat from indoors in the summer and move it outside. Dr. Modi suggests that those who already have a working furnace install an electric heat pump in addition, using both as a dual system, turning the furnace on only on the very coldest days. This would work with current electrical systems and lower costs over an electric heat pump that could heat in extremely cold weather, and still save about 90% on carbon emissions. He notes that heating or cooling are the biggest uses of energy in homes.
Now comes the part that could make this solution difficult for some of us: Cost: $6-8000 depending on home size; but if it is a replacement for a system that needs replacing anyway, about $2000 more. Ouch.
But here are points to keep in mind: There may be rebates or other savings if your state or federal government has these for encouraging more efficient energy usage. When we win back the federal government in 2020, we can push for such rebates. Meanwhile, the electrical heat pump is cheaper to use: During cold weather, it cuts your utility bill approximately in half. Of course, if you own your own solar or wind power, your operating cost would be zero.
Our government, somewhat surprisingly in the era of *Rump, also has a great deal of information on heat pumps, including geothermal pumps which, if you have the money for this investment, is even easier on electricity. Find out more about the different type of heat pumps here. And discuss in the Comments!