Our heat pump’s first winter: the electricity numbers I wish I had before buying
A month-by-month comparison with the old gas furnace, including the two cold snaps that changed the result.
We replaced a twenty-year-old gas furnace with a cold-climate heat pump last September. I recorded outdoor temperature, thermostat setting, utility use, and backup-heat runtime each week rather than relying on the manufacturer dashboard.
The heat pump covered the house comfortably until roughly -14°C. Below that, backup heat mattered more than I expected, but the annual operating cost still came in slightly below the previous three-year gas average. Air sealing the attic hatch in January produced a visible improvement, so I would do the envelope work before sizing new equipment.
Where do you stand?
Agree 2 Mixed 2 Disagree 1 Need more evidence 2Responses
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Did you normalize the gas comparison for heating-degree days? Our mild winter made a bigger difference than the equipment change.
Yes. The unadjusted cost looked 18% lower; weather-normalized it was closer to 9%. I should add that distinction to the post.
The backup-heat runtime is especially helpful. Installer sizing conversations rarely make that operating detail concrete.