Published Monday in the scientific journal Joule, the research found that heat pumps are two to three times more efficient than their oil and gas counterparts, specifically in temperatures ranging from 10 C to -20 C.

Oxford study proves heat pumps triumph over fossil fuels in the cold::Published Monday in the scientific journal Joule, the research found that heat pumps are two to three times more efficient than their oil and gas counterparts, specifically in temperatures ranging from 10 C to -20 C.

  • HelloThere@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    542·
    1 year ago

    The vast majority of gas boilers use electronics to function. In a powercut they are also dead.

    Now if you’re talking diesel generator back ups, then far enough.

    • Jay@lemmy.caEnglish
      191·
      1 year ago

      If you have a generator, you can easily run the heat pump off of them as well, but it’s seldomly needed… if ever.

      I live in Canada where it’s commonly -30c or colder in the winter. heat pumps work fine around here and quite a few places have them, from houses to factories. The only problem is the initial set up costs, because the lines have to get buried below the frost line (6-8 feet down). After that it’s smooth sailing for the most part.

      Even in power outages, heated floors can retain their heat for much longer than conventional means, sometimes up to a day or two.

      And the best part, is in the summer, you just reverse the system and it’s an air conditioner pumping your house heat into the ground to use again next winter.

        • joshhsoj1902@lemmy.caEnglish
          31·
          1 year ago

          If you have a gas stove you really shouldn’t be using it without the fan running.

          A power outage is one of those times as people are tempted to use it more and for longer if it’s the easiest source of heat.

          • DarthBueller@lemmy.worldEnglish
            11·
            1 year ago

            When I lived in Pittsburgh many years ago, we had a full blizzard come through and our furnace went out in our “nice neighborhood/slumlord landlord” house. Benzene or no, the stove and oven kept us from freezing.

        • sploosh@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          1 year ago

          If you want to heat air and move it around you’re gonna want a fan, which will need electricity. My gas heat is no good when the power is out.

      • UFO64@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        1 year ago

        Provided the pressure is maintained from the outside, mine would work fine with a match.

    • The Pantser@lemmy.worldEnglish
      5·
      1 year ago

      There are tons of non electronic gas heaters. I have one in my basement just for power outages so we can stay alive in the winter if we don’t have power. But I do think for majority of heating and cooling I would love to rip out my central furnace and replace with heat pumps but the cost is too great ATM. I have two heat pumps now, one in my garage and one in my top floor where the furnace could never reach.

    • carl_dungeon@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      1 year ago

      I have propane heat- a small generator will power the fans while the propane provides the actual heat. The generator wouldn’t be able to handle a whole heat pump though. I do lose power a lot and lost it for 4 days straight last Jan. This situation isn’t without merit.

    • bamboo@lemm.eeEnglish
      41·
      1 year ago

      If it’s just control systems though, they may be able to run off of a UPS for a day or so.