Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I just recently read that heat pumps are beating gas furnaces already and on the price trajectories of renewables will be winning easily in the future.

We won't need to focus on the hard things as long as we have sufficient easy things to get done first. For instance I don't think replacing jet fuel is something we should be prioritizing over bringing renewables to developing countries.



> I just recently read that heat pumps are beating gas furnaces already

In general, no. For a few select usecases, yes - particularly highly insulated newbuilds which need very small systems (heat pumps miniaturize better than furnaces).


I think the calculations go something like this (in Europe):

Gas costs 12c per kWh

Electricity 36c per kWh

Heat pump generate something like 2.5x to 4.5x of heat per kWh spend.

Alas they can be cheaper already.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: