Evaluation of Heat Pump Performance: Regional Facility Data Comparison of Cost & Carbon

Heat pumps are often mandated and installed in new construction. Further, existing air conditioning units are now being replaced with heat pumps for winter heating use. There are a variety of options from straight heat pump use for heating to augmentation with carbon-based fuel heaters as well as simple resistive heating. The temperature data and energy price for a particular region will determine the basic cost profile and breakpoints for transitioning or augmentation. However, carbon minimization will likely not align with the minimizing of operational costs. This paper first examines a number of scenarios utilizing data gathered from two facilities which gives the reader some options based on desired parameters of optimization. This may be particularly useful if there are government energy credits available for all-electric and solar or carbon mandates that must be met. The paper places much of its emphasis on practical solutions.