1) Efficiency Matters
- Mild Days (40°F): Lots of heat available; HS12 runs very efficiently (COP ≈ 3.5–4.0).
- Frigid Days (–10°F): Less heat to capture; efficiency drops (COP ≈ 1.8–2.0).
While efficiency drops in the cold, Airspool’s HS12 uses EVI “superheat” technology to keep working down to –22°F—long after older heat pumps give up.
2) The Numbers: HS12 vs. Traditional Fuels
Assumptions based on Illinois June 2025 rates:
- Electric rate: 18.33¢/kWh
- Natural gas: $1.65/therm @ 92% AFUE
- Heating oil: $3.60/gal @ 85% AFUE
Cost per kWh of Delivered Heat
- At 40–30°F: HS12 is cheaper than gas, oil, and baseboard—even without solar.
- At 20°F: Gas and HS12 are neck-and-neck, but solar gives HS12 the edge.
- Below 10°F: Gas pulls ahead per BTU, but HS12 still crushes oil and baseboard. Solar blending narrows the gap further.
3) The "Pre-Heat" Secret
Pre-heat means using the solar-powered window (midday) to raise your thermostat by 1–2°F.
- During sunny hours, HS12 runs for free on solar.
- Your home stores this extra heat in walls and furniture.
- This stored heat reduces the load in the evening when electricity costs money.
Solar + Preheat boosts savings to 20–22%, shifting your heating load into free solar hours.
4) Final Takeaway
In Peoria—and across much of the U.S.—Airspool’s HS12 is the cheapest heat source for most of the heating season:
- Always cheaper than oil or baseboard.
- Cheaper than gas on mild and moderate days.
- Competitive with gas in deep cold when using solar and preheat smartly.
And yes—it plays in Peoria.
