Is Airspool’s HS12 Really the Cheapest Heat in Peoria?

Heat pumps don’t burn fuel to create heat; they move it. But can they really beat natural gas or oil in a cold climate like Peoria, Illinois? Let's look at the numbers.

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.