Prayer Flags and Heat Pumps: A Homeowner’s Success Story in Central Alberta
One of our clients recently took on a unique project: building her own high-performance home, which we call Sunbreaker Cove. Wanting her home to be efficient and eco-friendly, she chose a Mitsubishi Zuba heat pump to handle the heating. Even though she was excited, she worried about Alberta’s cold winters. Some of her contractors also questioned whether a heat pump alone could keep the house warm in -30°C weather.
Still, she trusted the process, took our advice, and let the heat pump do its job. For fun, she even hung prayer flags around it for extra “luck” through the winter. But happily, the heat pump performed exactly as promised, keeping her home warm and cozy. When she showed us the prayer flags, we couldn’t help but laugh about her creative approach to a cold-weather test!
Will a Heat Pump Actually Keep My Home Warm?
Yes, heat pumps can absolutely keep your home warm—even in Alberta’s harsh winters! Here’s why they work:
• Built for Cold Climates: Some heat pumps are made specifically for climates like Alberta’s, where winter lows can hit -30°C. Our client’s Mitsubishi Zuba system handled the cold with no issues.
• Airtight Homes Stay Cozy: Homes that are well-insulated and sealed don’t need as much heating power to stay comfortable. Because our client’s home was built to high-efficiency standards, her heat pump didn’t have to work as hard to keep things warm.
• Backed by Local Data: Many Albertans with high-performance homes and heat pumps report they stay comfortable even during the coldest snaps.
How Much Will It Really Cost?
Monthly Savings with All-Electric Heating
One big benefit of switching entirely to electric heating is eliminating your monthly gas bill. Here in Alberta, fixed fees for natural gas can cost $400–$650 a year, even when you’re not using much gas. By going fully electric, you avoid these fixed costs and can reduce your annual heating expenses.
Monthly Electricity Costs
Electricity rates in Alberta are higher than natural gas, which is worth considering. But heat pumps are extremely efficient—they produce a lot of heat for the energy they use, which helps manage costs.
Here’s a simple comparison:
• With Gas: You might pay $100 a month for gas during winter.
• With a Heat Pump: You might pay about $150–$200 a month more for electricity. But without the gas bill, it could balance out.
Energy Efficiency Keeps Costs Low
Heat pumps use a rating called COP (Coefficient of Performance), which measures how much heat they produce from each unit of electricity. The higher the COP, the lower the cost to run it. Choosing an efficient model will help keep your electricity bill manageable.
What If My House Isn’t Brand New?
No matter your home’s age, there are options for using a heat pump:
• For New Homes: If you’re building a new home, ask your builder to use insulation and ducts that work well with heat pumps. A high-performance building “envelope”—meaning good insulation and sealing—will keep heat in, which saves on electricity.
• For Existing Homes: Adding a heat pump to an older home is also possible. An energy audit can show you where adding insulation or sealing up drafts will make the biggest difference in efficiency.
Tips for Retrofitting a Heat Pump
If you’re adding a heat pump to an existing home, here are a few ideas:
• Hybrid Systems: You might use a heat pump alongside a secondary heat source, especially if your home isn’t fully optimized for efficiency.
• Quick Upgrades: Sealing windows and doors or adding insulation in key areas can help your heat pump work better and reduce costs.
Why Work with an Energy Consultant or Advisor?
Working with an energy advisor can make it easier to determine if a heat pump is the right choice and can help maximize its benefits. Here’s how they help:
• Detailed Home Assessment: Advisors evaluate your home’s insulation, airtightness, and existing heating system, performing energy audits to spot potential efficiency upgrades.
• Personalized Energy Modeling: Using tools like HOT2000, advisors simulate energy use in your home, showing the impact a heat pump could have on your bills. This helps identify the most effective and affordable improvements for your specific situation.
• Customized Heating Options: Advisors explain the pros and cons of different heating systems, including various heat pump types, and help you select the best option for your home and Alberta’s climate.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis and Incentives: Advisors break down costs versus potential savings and guide you through available rebates and incentives that can reduce the upfront costs of installing a heat pump.
• Building Envelope and Electrical Considerations: A strong building envelope—good insulation and sealing—reduces heating demands, which is crucial for heat pump efficiency. Advisors can guide you on improvements and assess your electrical service, suggesting solutions if upgrades are needed.
In short, an energy advisor provides the support you need to make the transition to a heat pump smooth, informed, and financially smart.
Embracing the Future of Home Heating
Switching to a heat pump is a great way for Alberta homeowners to help transition to cleaner energy. Heat pumps provide steady warmth in every room, lower your environmental impact, and eliminate the need for gas—no prayer flags required!
Check out the details of this beautiful, high performance home here!
