Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5
Might be able to set a staggered heating schedule to gradually raise the temperature from 45 F without kicking on the backup heat. You could experiment on what temperature differentials cause the inefficient backup heater to kick on, and then set a schedule that incrementally heats to the desired temp.
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The heat pumps I've been looking at don't have a backup resistance heater. I think they just won't work at temperatures below -15 °F and at certain temperatures may output less heat and do so closer to resistance heat efficiency. The backup heat would have to be me deciding to turn something else on.
One other type of backup heat I haven't mentioned is the possibility of wood heat. Advantages: it doesn't care if there's electricity or gas or what temperature it is or isn't. (And I'd get to play with fire
) Disadvantages: I would need to cut wood and clean the chimney. It would also increase the potential for a fire hazard.