Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine November 2022

News Magazine November 2022

coming in the house. With the new heat pump, the air temperature out of the supply was closer to 90 o and perhaps 100 o degrees. Doesn’t sound all that bad but resulted in much colder homes and discomfort. Homeowners turned the thermostat up and the auxiliary heat kicked in. The resulting air was much warmer but the electric consumption at least doubled. Utility bills skyrocketed and heat pumps got a terrible reputation. Of course, the worse part was the poor homeowner that could not pay their electric bill. Let me stop to say that the electric utilities had no ill intentions toward their customers. No one anticipated the importance of design and placing heat pumps in houses that were reasonably efficient. In the right conditions, a heat pump works great and is energy efficient. There are thousands of homes that can benefit from a heat pump; BUT, there also thousands of houses that need weatherization and insulation before they consider a heat pump. So here we are again. A heat pump promotion on steroids. This time the federal government is pushing heat pumps with money that seems inexhaustible. Even worse for person ’ s making 80% of the median income, an $8,000 heat pump is free and there is even more money to bring the electrical service up to accommodate the heat pump installation.

because, there is no incentive for them to learn about the importance of proper application, sizing, and installation. It ’ s free so why not just take the heat pump. IT'S FREE! But not really. In a bad application, the homeowner will face skyrocketing winter heating bills and will be in the line to get utility bill assistance. I ’ m sorry to be so negative. I want these folks to enjoy upgrades in their air conditioning and heating systems. I want them to have weatherization and insulation that makes the home comfortable and easier to condition. I want them to enjoy the benefits of comfort and a utility bill they can afford. So, what is the solution? Much of this money will probably come through the Arkansas Energy Office. The Energy Office must, before it is too late, create protocols that assure this money is being spent on heat pumps being installed in houses that are appropriate applications. I don ’ t know what that standard should be. Entergy works with the Public Service Commission to establish standards for their weatherization program. While I may wish it would allow more, it is a great program that helps lots of Arkansas homeowners. We should establish standards relative to

1. air infiltration 2. duct leakage 3. insulation 4. manual J loads 5. projected utility consumption

What should the specific standard be? It should be a consensus of those involved with weatherization, energy efficiency

Why do I say even worse for person ’ s making 80% of the median income;