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Heat pumps twice as efficient as fossil fuel systems in cold weather, study finds
(www.theguardian.com)
this post was submitted on 12 Sep 2023
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Technology
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Batteries or generators could also work for heat pumps, or you could have emergency backup propane heat. Basically the short answer to your concern is "prepare" just like how you handle every other emergency situation like that ever, regardless of what kind of heating system you use.
Also a big part of it is fixing up your insulation. Modern insulation is great, a well insulated house is super cheap/easy to heat.
A heat pump and propane heat seem like a huge waste of money for duplications Plus where do I get the propane after it's banned
No - a gas electricity generator, powering a heat pump, will use an order of magnitude less gas than if you used the gas directly to heat your home. That's how efficient heat pumps are.
Home generators are not very efficient, they lose a lot of energy to heat and noise. It's close to the break even point so depending on your generator and heatpump, you could use more gas than with a modern gas furnace. Even with a theoretical perfect 100% efficient generator, it's not going to be an order of magnitude less gas because heat pumps are not 1000% more efficient than a gas furnace
Switching to propane is one safer alternative that is being recommended for people with natural gas lines to their houses, it is less leaky and cleaner burning than the methane stuff. Propane won't be banned, but it will become more expensive as supplies dwindle.
If you have an air conditioner you already have a heat pump, it just needs to be one that can alternate directions between heating and cooling. Also, backup emergency heat would not need to be nearly as extensive as a full house propane furnace. Or, you could just use a propane emergency generator instead and keep using the heat pump. Propane can be stored long term much more easily than alternatives like gasoline, and while it can be pricier, just having enough for emergencies is not a great cost.