For dual-fuel heat pumps, where is the economic crossover in Alberta/Quebec vs New England at today’s rates?
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Dual-fuel heat pumps work well in Alberta and Quebec because of good electricity prices and incentives. In New England, it’s tougher to justify the cost due to pricier electricity and colder weather, but it might still make sense in some cases.
If you’re in Alberta or Quebec, these pumps could save you energy and money, mainly if you already use fossil fuels and can get incentives.
To determine the exact economic crossover point for your specific situation, consider consulting with a professional who can assess your energy usage, local energy prices, and system requirements.
Economic crossover for dual-fuel heat pumps:
Alberta/Quebec: electricity cheap, gas moderate which means dual-fuel rarely cost-effective.
New England: electricity high, gas higher which means dual-fuel can save money in cold months.
Key: cost-effectiveness depends on local energy rates, climate, and proper system sizing.
Alberta/Quebec: dual-fuel often wins due to cheap gas and winter electricity rates.
New England: all-electric heat pumps usually cheaper because electricity is pricier and gas is costly.
Alberta: Heat pump beats gas above ~0–10 °C, depending on power rates.
Québec: Cheaper than gas to ~−20 °C.
New England: Gas wins below ~10–13 °C due to high electricity costs
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New England (USA) → The crossover is higher—roughly around 0 °C to +5 °C (32–41 °F), due to the electricity vs gas pricing dynamics
Alberta / Quebec (Canada) → Economic crossover occurs when outdoor temperature drops to around –10 °C to –5 °C (that’s about 14–23 °F) before switching from heat pump to gas, because electricity is relatively expensive in Alberta and cheap in Quebec