The Sentinel: Electrical Service

Debunking 6 common misconceptions about heat pumps

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BRANDPOINT - Heating and cooling often make up the bulk of utility bills - and the right HVAC system can make a world of difference in both energy bills and home comfort. Recently, heat pumps have become a trending topic in the news for their ability to address both of these needs by providing sustainable home comfort while simultaneously lowering utility bills. But can they really do both?

To answer that question, it's important to first understand how a heat pump works. When the thermostat temperature is raised and heat is needed, the system pulls heat energy from the ambient air outside the home to heat the home. When air conditioning is desired, it does the opposite, removing heat from inside the home and expelling it to make the home cooler.

Because heat energy is moved around rather than being produced directly, heat pumps can provide more sustainable - and more efficient fuel source alternatives. In addition, recent advancements have made heat pumps far more efficient and more reliable than ever before - even in colder climates. As a result, both federal and local agencies are offering money-saving incentives to help more homeowners switch to heat pumps making it an ideal time to invest in a new heat pump.

But even with these benefits, there are still a lot of myths about how heat pumps work. We're debunking some of the top heat pump misconceptions.

Myth 1: Heat pumps won't work in cold climates

Fact: Today's heat pumps can provide efficient heating in colder climates than ever before

In the past, some older heat pumps could struggle to heat a space efficiently when outdoor temperatures were especially cold. However, today's heat pumps are engineered to function as the primary heating source in almost all geographic regions, even when temperatures drop below freezing.

The key to providing sufficient heat capacity in especially cold climates is the compressor - the part of a heat pump that moves heat through the system. In the past, heat pumps typically relied on single-speed compressors that functioned like an on/off switch, making it harder for the system to cope with extreme swings in temperature. Today's more advanced heat pumps leverage variable-speed compressor technology to make incremental adjustments that keep pace with changing temperature more efficiently and more accurately. In addition, many heat pumps rated for cold-climate use now feature vapor injection technology, which further boosts cold-weather heating performance.

Myth 2: Heat pumps don't really save money

Fact: 90% of homeowners can reduce their utility bills with a heat pump

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that almost all homeowners can expect to see cost savings by switching to an energy-efficient electric heat pump. Today's heat pump offerings are wide-ranging and can meet the unique needs of almost any home, comfort level, or budget. Innovations in energy efficiency mean less electricity is used to cut costs in most homes. For example, the newly launched YORK® HH8 Side-Discharge Heat Pump can precisely match a home's changing comfort needs while reducing homeowners' energy bills by up to 50% compared to less efficient HVAC systems.

Myth 3: Heat pumps are noisy

Fact: Many heat pumps are as quiet as a dishwasher

No one wants to hear excessive noise coming from their HVAC system. Premium heat pumps combine insulated cabinets and low-sound fan designs to deliver whisper-quiet performance when operating in both heating and AC modes.

Myth 4: Temperatures will be inconsistent

Fact: Heat pumps seamlessly move between heating and cooling for consistent comfort

We all want to feel comfortable in our homes. Variable-speed heat pumps automatically move between heating and cooling modes throughout operation to maintain precise temperature and humidity levels. These seamless adjustments provide unmatched home comfort while helping to maximize energy efficiency, especially when compared to single-phase heat pumps that simply turn on and off and provide inconsistent inside temperatures.

Myth 5: Heat pumps require a lot of space

Fact: New compact designs are 30% smaller than traditional equipment

Innovative, new heat pump designs like the YORK® HH8 Side-Discharge Heat Pump offer top-tier efficiency and variable-speed performance in a compact size. The side-discharge design allows the heat pump to be stacked, placed under raised decks, or installed in zero-lot-line neighborhoods.

Myth 6: Installing a new heat pump is expensive

Fact: A wide range of rebates and incentives are available now

A historic number of savings programs are available to help offset the cost of installing a high-efficiency home heat pump. Through a combination of immediate discounts, tax rebates, and utility and manufacturers' offers, some qualifying homeowners can offset 100% of the cost of installing a heat pump. Additionally, some manufacturers offer simplified financing options with fixed monthly payments to make the investment more manageable.

Don't have a standby generator yet? Here are 6 things you will want to know before you buy

Brandpoint - Every day on the news, it seems, there's a report about another extreme weather event. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2023 was a record year for extreme weather. The U.S. experienced 28 separate, billion-dollar weather disasters last year, the highest number ever. That averages out to more than one every two weeks.

Last week, the NWS Storm Prediction Center issued a warning that severe storms capable of damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes are on tap for tomorrow. The affected area stretches from the Ozarks into the Lower Great Lakes.

Widespread power outages, like this one expected to roll through central Illinois on Tuesday evening, are one of the byproducts of these mega-storms, but it doesn't take a once-in-a-century flood to cause them. Blackouts happen regularly due to more "mundane" causes, like power grid glitches, ice storms or high winds, even lightning in a garden-variety thunderstorm taking out a power pole. And you're left in the dark. Depending on the severity of the outage, that darkness could last awhile.

Remember that storm that produced nearly 80mph windspeeds passed through the area last June? In its wake, the storm left over 28,000 homes without power in Champaign County and more 170,000 homes in Ameren's service area.

A branch from a large tree was peeled away from the trunk by strong winds last June near a condo at the corner Broadway and Vermont in Urbana.

Sentinel photo

When the power goes out in your home, so does the heat. And the internet. And the electricity needed to keep food at a safe temperature in the refrigerator. All of your "smart" electronics and appliances that talk to each other (and to you) go silent.

Owning a standby generator is the best way to keep your household humming during a power outage. Because of all of the extreme weather we've been experiencing, it's moving from the nice-to-have category into a necessity. Here's what you need to know before buying one.

A standby generator is different than a portable generator. Most people are familiar with the type of bulky generators their fathers kept in the garage, noisy contraptions that needed to be hooked up to cough to life when the power went out. You could run the refrigerator or a space heater, but not both. We've come a long way since then. A standby generator is a back-up electrical system that kicks in automatically when the power goes out. These sleek, permanently installed units are a bit like having a power plant on reserve. Some models are able to power the electricity to your entire home. The switchover from the power grid to your generator is completely automatic and usually so seamless, homeowners don't even notice a disruption.

You must own your home to install a standby generator. Standby generators are permanently installed outside of your home — just like an AC unit or solar panel system — and routed to your home’s electrical and gas systems. For this reason, you must own the property your generator will power.

The type of home matters. A condo or apartment, even if you own it, isn't conducive to having a generator. If you live in a townhome complex, consult your community’s by-laws before purchasing a generator. Typically, single-family and fixed mobile homes are qualified for generator installation.

Research any necessary permits before you install. Typically, your generator will be installed alongside your home’s exterior in a discrete area, but it is still considered a modification to your home’s appearance. This means you’ll likely require approval, and perhaps permits, prior to installation if you live in a community regulated by an HOA or other governing board.

Consider your home's power needs ... and your own. Do you want to power your entire home during an outage, or can you get by with only select appliances or systems running? Analyze your home’s electrical load and your power priorities. This will help you determine potential generator models to choose from. Some are equipped to power your entire home, while others are better for powering the necessities.

Not all generators are created equal. You can find any number of generators on the market today with just a few mouse clicks online. But this is your family's safety and well-being in a potential disaster we're talking about. It's not the time to take chances on an untested product or company. Go with a trusted name in the industry you can count on to keep your household running. KOHLER generators have been on the market for over 100 years and each model has endured hundreds of performance tests to ensure total reliability. They're built with commercial-grade engines designed to outlast the outage. And they use state-of-the-art technology so you can monitor it on your mobile device or computer.

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In addition to providing dependable electrical service in an emergency, standby generators increase the intrinsic value of the home and property on the real estate market.

When a power outage strikes, a standby generator ensures that your family won't miss a beat. Want to learn more? Visit KOHLERhomeenergy.com for more information.

Are you ready for when your power goes out?

With people still working, learning and shopping from home, everyone must prepare earlier for outages that accompany severe weather.

(NAPSI) -- More Americans suffered extended power outages in 2020 than any year since Superstorm Sandy struck the New York area in 2012, according to Generac, owners of Power Outage Central, a real-time outage tracking service that monitors outages throughout the United States.

Earlier this month, there were three areas in Champaign-Urbana without electrical service thanks to a set of Mylar birthday balloons that came in contact with power lines.

Photo: Artem Podrez/Pexels

Mylar balloons are metallic and conduct electricity, resulting in surges and shorts that can create power outages, start fires, and cause significant damage to the electric grid. Approximately 1,200 Ameren customers were without power for three hours.

Back in November of last year, power was out for about three hours in the south part of Champaign and another area covering Campustown. In eastern Urbana, about 180 customers were without power at the same time. Over 1,500 customers were without power during the incident.

"In 2020, more than one out of three Americans experienced a power outage, and the U.S. power grid suffered more outage hours than it has in years," said Russ Minick, chief marketing officer for Wisconsin-based Generac. "With people still working, learning and shopping from home, everyone must prepare earlier for outages that accompany severe weather."

Outages are statistically much more common than many other threats to the home, according to Generac’s data. In fact, while about 12% of homes are at risk of flooding according to the First Street Foundation’s flood database1, every home is at risk of losing power. Unlike with floods, however, there are multiple ways to safeguard against loss of electrical power.

"There are three key paths to protecting power supply, said Simon Allen, president of Allied Energy, a backup power solution provider in San Diego, Calif. "These include portable generators, which are a short-term solution; home standby generators; and solar energy storage systems. Solar energy storage systems and home standby generators are permanently installed and can provide secure sources of power for longer periods."

Each system requires advance planning, including local permitting and installation, said Allen, but secure power is worth it.

"Life gets very primitive and dangerous when the power is out. With outages lasting longer and occurring more often, all against the backdrop of people working and learning from home, our customers are turning to Generac home standby generators and PWRcell battery storage systems. Effectively, they’re making their homes a sanctuary against Mother Nature’s threats."

Picking the correct solution varies for every homeowner, said Stephen Cruise of Generator Supercenter, a Texas-based provider of power solutions. "A generator will run nearly indefinitely on propane or natural gas," he said. "With correct power management, a solar energy storage system can also power the whole home for extended periods. It comes down to preference, local codes and budget. The best place to start is finding a great local installer who can help make the decision easy."

"Authorized dealers and installers know local codes and are factory trained," said Minick. "They’re experts in local needs and can provide a one-stop solution for every homeowner."

All the resources needed to acquire and install backup power are available at www.generac.com. Prices fit most budgets and vary depending on factors such as the size of home, the electricity needed for backup and preference for solar or generator-based options.

Ameren announces lower utility rate for St. Joseph

St. Joseph residents can knock a few dollars off their power bill for the next 12 months.

Recently Ameren Illinois announced lower residential electric rates to the tune of 4.6 cents per kilowatt hour (kwh) starting with this month's meter readings. With the transmission fees, the rate is estimated to be about 4.7 cent per kwh.

According to a press release from the village's electric aggregation consultant Simec, the low bidder for supplying electrical services to residents, the new rate is approximately three-tenths of one cent less than their rate of 5.031 cents.

The average consumer in St. Joseph would save roughly $36 a year switching to Ameren.

Customers that choose to opt out of the aggregation program offered by the village are subject to a lockout period of 12-months with Constellation, the default provider for village. Regulations require consumers who opt out to remain a total of 12 months with Ameren or a supplier of their choice if they do not switch to a new provider within the first two months of the initial change in service.

Once a customer opts out they will be returned automatically to Ameren or to the specified retail electric supplier.

One thing to keep in mind, Ameren, who cites decreased costs in delivering electrical service at this time, may raise their rates at any time if they file with the ICC and demonstrate that their operational expenses have changed. The sole benefit of municipal aggregation is it does offer some measure of price stability since the rates are locked in for a specific period of time.

While Constellation negotiated rate with St. Joseph is among the lowest in the state, Ameren's new rate is appreciably lower in many communities. Quincy's provider bills 5.09/kwh. Effingham residents pay 6.285 with their aggregator. Godfrey’s current municipal electrical aggregation contract with Homefield Energy is at 5.496 until December 2020.

According to the release issued by Simec, residents currently with Constellation can opt out at any time and at no cost. To opt out, they will need to contact Constellation’s customer care center toll free number at (844) 312-9122 and will need only their account number. Customer account numbers can be found at the top of their bill.