HVAC techs lack a simple tool to calculate the exact outdoor temperature at which it's more cost-effective to switch from heat pump to propane heat based on real-time fuel and electric prices.
No user-friendly software exists that automatically calculates the economic balance point for dual-fuel systems using local fuel prices, heat pump performance data, and system AFUE—technicians rely on manual calculations or arbitrary setpoints.
Workarounds Described
- Technician manually calculates break-even COP using paper and spreadsheet math
- Install crews use arbitrary rule-of-thumb setpoints (35°F or 0°F)
Implied Software Gaps
- A mobile app that automatically computes optimal dual-fuel changeover temperature from fuel prices and heat pump data
FuelCalc Pro
FuelCalc Pro is a mobile and web app that lets HVAC techs input local propane/electric prices, select a heat pump model, and instantly get the optimal dual-fuel changeover temperature. It integrates with manufacturer performance tables and automatically updates based on changing fuel costs, eliminating guesswork and manual math.
- Input local propane and electricity prices
- Select heat pump model from database (e.g., Bosch IDS Light) with COP and CFM data
- Automatically calculate break-even COP and changeover temperature
- Save client profiles and generate PDF reports for homeowners
- Update fuel prices dynamically via API or manual entry
Existing Solutions Mentioned
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