In that case, either someone at your electric company is seriously
misinformed, or they are deliberately misinforming the public so they can
sell more electric. In the majority of cases, it's definitely cheaper to set
a heat pump back at night if the fuel used to raise the temperature the next
morning is natural gas. You might even try to find a better 'economic
balance point'. Did the installer do a Manual J heat loss calculation and
come up with the 17 degree balance point? If he didn't, then try moving the
balance point up to 30 degrees and see if you save more money.

"twfsa" wrote in message
news:cm8Ff.37445$bF.4912@dukeread07...
The notice said, Attention heat pump owners (with a natural gas or propane
furnace). The gas company is a seperate utility.

Tom


"Bob" wrote in message
...
Did the notice actually say natural gas backup on it, or was it a
generic
type notice that could have been sent to all heat pump owners? Does your
electric utility also deliver natural gas, or do you get that from
another
company?

"twfsa" wrote in message
news:GL4Ff.37412$bF.26267@dukeread07...
The notice was to owners with heat pumps with n/gas back up.

Tom


"Bob" wrote in message
...
The notice you received was intended for owners of heat pumps with
backup
electric resistance heat. With that type, it usually costs more to
warm
the
house back up in the morning than a person saved the previous night.

"twfsa" wrote in message
news:xA2Ff.37395$bF.15209@dukeread07...
I have had a heat pump (16 seer) 3 years now, and am very satified
with
winter utility cost, I live in the midwest and the winters can be
brutal.
I
have the outside thermostate on the unit set to operate down to 17
degs.

So far this winter the elecrtic bill has been no higher than $75,
the
n/gas
bill $68. Maybe $5-$10 in past years higher.

I have a set back thermostate, set back to 67 at night, 69 during
the
day
and 73 in the evening till 10:00 PM.

I received a notice from the electric utility to set it and forget
it
to
save more $$$.

My house is a ranch, 12 yrs old, 2K sq ft.

Whats your opinion?

Thanks
Tom