Energy and Cost Analysis of Residential Heat Pumps in Northern Climates

摘要

Since 1971, residential heat pump sales have dramatically increased every year. In certain areas of the country, heat pumps account for over 80% of the space heating systems in new housng starts. Penetration in the residential market by heat pumps is beginning to take place in colder areas of the country where heat pumps have traditionally been overlooked. Lack of natural gas and high oil prices, combined with the large energy costs of electric resistance heat have forced renewed attention to the heat pump in colder climates. This paper examines the diversity in heating energy use and cost effectiveness of forty-one currently retailed heat pumps in three northern cities: Boston, Denver, and Minneapolis. Heat pump heating energy use and annualized life-cycle costs are compared with other forms of space heating equipment in those same cities. (ERA citation 05:038274)