Published Monday in the scientific journal Joule, the research found that heat pumps are two to three times more efficient than their oil and gas counterparts, specifically in temperatures ranging from 10 C to -20 C.

Oxford study proves heat pumps triumph over fossil fuels in the cold::Published Monday in the scientific journal Joule, the research found that heat pumps are two to three times more efficient than their oil and gas counterparts, specifically in temperatures ranging from 10 C to -20 C.

  • Craftkorb@feddit.deEnglish
    193·
    1 year ago

    Which is the absolute minority on that regard, most people live in climates where it doesn’t get that cold.

    • Squids@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I’d also add that like, for a lot of Scandinavia heat pumps work just fine? Like does America just have some really bad heat pumps or something?

      I think the only reason why you wouldn’t install one here (aside from obvious cost issues) would be if you already have a robust heating system built into your home, like a hot water system. And if that’s the case, you can use the heatpump of the earth - geothermal! Use the power of the earth’s molten core to heat and cool your home!

      (… geothermal isn’t as ubiquitous as I make it sound it’s just, really fucking cool)

      • Zink@programming.devEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Really? Where in the US or Canada do tens of millions if people live with AVERAGE winter lows of -25F?

        Fairbanks AK seems to be widely regarded as the coldest US city, and that is -15F average lows. If I move to Prudhoe Bay on the northern coast of Alaska, then in find the -25F low I’m looking for. 

        A quick search suggests Winnipeg is the coldest major city in Canada, and it doesn’t quite reach -20F average. There are of course some more remote towns that get colder; Canada goes pretty far north.