What does it cost to run a heat pump?

Introduction

Alternative energy is a relatively new and fascinating field in South Africa, when comparing to Europe and first world countries. It is common experience with any new technology, for instance with solar and heat pumps, that it is difficult to make a solid financial decision when investing in such technologies. To give an example, Carte Blanche, (South African television program) had a program, this year of 2010, comparing solar and heat pumps and tried to make an educated conclusion on which would be the better technology and a better investment purely from a cost point of view. Regardless of the outcome of the program and which hailed the superior technology, there is another point that must be stressed.

Why is it, that five years later, after the introduction of solar and heat pumps into this country, there are programs, like Carte Blanche, still raising questions about the efficiency and payback of these technologies? This observation must mean that customers are purchasing alternative technologies based only on the fact that, “Alternative technology will save energy”, and that, “it’s good for the environment”.

The specific questions that should be raised are; “How much energy will it save? How much will it save for a family of two, three or four? How much will it save if I have water saving shower heads installed? These are some realistic questions posed by homeowners but without quoting statistics and random percentages, what exactly, “IN RANDS AND CENTS” will I save every month if I make the investment?