• 866-376-2463
  • Contact
  • Search
Efficiency Maine Logo Search
Menu
  • At Home
    • Solutions
      • Appliances
      • Electric Vehicles
      • Heating and Cooling
      • Lighting
      • Low Income Options
      • Renewables
      • Water Heating
      • Weatherization
    • Incentives
      • Biomass Boilers and Furnaces
      • Circulator Pumps
      • Clothes Washers
      • LED Light Bulbs
      • Electric Vehicles
      • Geothermal Systems
      • Heat Pumps
      • Heat Pump Water Heaters
      • Insulation
      • Low Income Options
      • Natural Gas
      • Oil Boilers and Furnaces
      • Room Air Purifiers
    • Getting Started
      • EV Rebate Participating Dealers
      • Find a Vendor
      • Find a Participating Retailer
      • Home Energy Loans
      • Residential Forms
      • Vendor Support
    • Tools and Tips
      • Best Heat Pump Water Heater Deals
      • Best LED Bulb Prices in Maine
      • Calculate Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
      • Compare Home Heating Costs
      • Compare Water Heating Costs
      • Electricity Monitor Loaners
      • Energy Saving Tips
      • Electric Vehicle Resources
      • Lighting Savings Calculator
      • Residential Virtual Tour
      • Vehicle Cost Calculator
      • Charging Station Locator
  • At Work
    • Solutions
      • Agricultural
      • Commercial Kitchen
      • Compressed Air
      • Cooling
      • Distributed Generation
      • Electric Vehicles
      • Heating
      • Heating and Cooling
      • Heat Pumps
      • Lighting
      • Refrigeration
      • Water Heating
    • Incentives
      • Agricultural
      • Circulator Pumps
      • Compressed Air
      • Electric Vehicles
      • Heat Pumps
      • Heat Pump Water Heaters
      • Lighting
      • Oil Boilers and Furnaces
      • Refrigeration
      • Variable-Frequency Drive Systems
      • Variable-Refrigerant Flow Systems
    • Getting Started
      • Commercial and Industrial Prescriptive Incentive
      • Commercial and Industrial Custom
      • Qualified Partners
      • Natural Gas Customers
      • Small Business Energy Loans
    • Sectors
      • Education
      • Grocery and Convenience
      • Healthcare
      • Hospitality
      • Manufacturing
      • Multifamily
      • Office
      • Public Sector
      • Restaurant
      • Small Business
      • Warehouse
  • Energy Information
    • Municipal Initiatives
    • Collective Purchase
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Case Studies
    • Events
    • Professional Training
    • Resources for Homeowners
    • Resources for Renters
    • Videos
  • About
    • News
    • Board
    • Library
    • Opportunities
    • Staff
    • Contact
    • Subscribe

Heat Pumps FAQ

Jun 5, 2018

Is there a temperature below which a conventional heating system is cheaper to run than a heat pump?

Yes, for some heat pump/boiler combinations and electricity/heating fuel price ratios there is an outdoor temperature below which the boiler burning oil or propane is less expensive to operate. Our modeling has shown that using 2018 energy prices, the transition point is somewhere between 5F and -15F. Switching back and forth exactly when the temperature crosses the transition point could save up to 5% on heating costs. However, forgetting to switch back to the heat pump once the temperature climbs back above the transition point could end up costing more. Therefore, we generally recommend that you select a temperature set point on the heat pump that makes the room feel comfortable (usually several degrees higher than what you have used with your central heating system thermostat) and leave it at that setting throughout the winter.


  • Categories
    • SBI Loans
    • SBI Heat Pumps
    • SBI General
    • Blog
      • Success Story
      • Residential
      • Program Highlight
      • Organizational Highlight
      • Energy Tips
      • Commercial

  • Learn More

    • At Home
    • At Work
    • Resources

    Efficiency Maine

    • About
    • Contact
    • Sitemap
    • Privacy Policy

    Contact

    866-376-2463

    INFO@EFFICIENCYMAINE.COM

    Follow Efficiency Maine Via Email

    Click to follow and receive notifications of new offers by email.

    Follow

    © COPYRIGHT 2021 EFFICIENCY MAINE