Heat pumps aren’t sufficient in the northeast without a substantial ($50k+) investment in a ground loop. Many homes require significant retrofit to even use one.
PUHZ-SHW112YAA Guaranteed operating range (outdoor): Heating: -28 to +21 Domestic hot water: -28 to +35
On page 108 you can find the actual co-efficient of performance (COP) for different outside temperatures and inside water heating temperatures. As an example: at -10 and an water temperature for heating at 25 you still get a COP of 3+ (which are the average low temperatures in Maine). That means that 100% electricity moves 300% of heat into your house.
No, heat pumps (which take energy; duh) and "weatherizing" are not going to heat houses in Canada or Maine.
I’ve never lived in California.
Hot water is another huge use — it’s really expensive to use electricity for that purpose.
"Heat pump water heaters use electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly. Therefore, they can be two to three times more energy efficient than conventional electric resistance water heaters. To move the heat, heat pumps work like a refrigerator in reverse."
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/water-heating/heat-pump-w...
Yeah I just put one of those in, mostly because I didn't want to run a gas line. And feel a lot more competent running a 30amp circuit than cutting and sealing a hole in the roof.
Works fine.
Also friend in Florida says she has a heat pump with an air handler. It produces heat in the winter and cooling in the summer.
Not the end of the world.