It depends on what part of the country you live in. Heat puimps don't work below freezing, so you'll be heating with resistance heaters in the air handler. That could be very expensive if you have long, cold winters and high electric costs. Here in KY with low electric rates and not very long cold spells, heat pumps work very well. I have a heat pump with a gas furnace back up. I replaced my old AC only unit with a heat pump and kept my gas furnace. Which could also be an option for you.

A couple questions to be answered. What type of heating system do you have now?  What geographical region or state do you live in? What type of house, ranch, bi-level, 2 story... ? A heat pump can work below 30 degrees. The balance point is that point where the heat pump is running 24/7 without going into auxilary heat. Any lower and you are losing more heat than the heat pump can produce. At this point the auxilary heat should be on because the temperature is dropping in the house. I have a program on the one computer at work that compares different fuel sources. A heat pump that doesn't go into auxilary heat will cost about $10.85 per million btus. Coal will cost about $10.25. Electric resistance(baseboard) about $30. If you want some more info, let me know. I'm teaching heat pumps this month.

I would definitely like some more information if possible. I am waiting to do this until I receive my tax credit money first home buyer. I live in Missouri so the winter is not that bad but we have had a couple of ice storms over the last couple of years. My heating right now is just a gas furnace, but no a/c at all.

The cost of just an AC unit to cool vs a Heat pump that'll heat and cool you house is only a few hundred dollars. I would continue to keep the Gas furnace as a back-up heating source and not have resistance heaters put in the air handler. Resistance heat is very expensive to run vs gas.

-removed-

Rapidroy, that is not a good idea (posting your phone number) That is just asking for a lot of trouble.

If you have natural gas a heat pump of any kind will cost more to operate!!! If you have a 80% furnace upgrade to 93% and add a 13 SEER (or higher) a/c unit. If you have propane as I do, I just installed a variable speed air to air heatpump which is more cost effective down to 30F, then your existing furnace can take over, we've installed several of these and the savings are about 25% a year. I would never put electric resistance heat in unless there was no other option, it is the most expensive heat source.

1. Nat. gas - least expensive
2. Ground source Heat pump (geothermal) (propane my be a better option, the geothermal system may cost as high as $8-10,000)
3. Propane
4. air to air heatpump w/ emergency back up

Rapidroy,
If you now WANT TO REMOVE YOUR PHONE NUMBER, use the ALERT button and ask Admin Eric to DELETE IT FOR YOU.

Just another good example of why a DELETE or CONTINUOUS EDIT feature is needed on the forum.

Thanks Slug-Gunner, When it comes to computers and stuff like this I'm technically challenged.

First, you're in Missouri. I'm in Virginia Beach (that's in Virginia) and I got a 19 SERE Trane...works like a champ. Even if it's below freezing temp's outside. If it gets too cold (26 to 28 and lower) the 115/220VAC heater kicks on in the air handler.

Looking at my breakers, the heat pump is running off a 30AMP breaker, the air handler (mine is in the attic) is running off a 60AMP breaker. Both have service disconnects (pull boxes) near the units.

Depending upon your geographic area and based upon the 'average' temps throughout the heating/cooling season....you may be able to use the pump/air handler in Missouri. Keeping the gas furnace (called a split system) would be beneficial when the temps get too low for the heat pump to maintain a comfortable temp (high 20's outside temp).

While I'm glad someone brought up geothermal as a heat source, I'm surprised that it had to be snuck in like a black sheep.

Am I the only person who notices that every other post above talks about the AUXILIARY HEAT... remember that just 2 feet or more below the surface is at a constant temperature, and most geothermal heat pump systems DO NOT REQUIRE AUXILIARY HEAT (unless the house is poorly insulated or somebody leaves most of the widows and doors open). While a steep price is true for a geothermal heat pump, it's high efficiency and low maintenance will pay for itself almost as quick if not sooner than any cheaper system out there. I suggest that you invest in the future, and if you add enough solar panels to run the heat pump you're well on your way to getting off the grid and being totally self sufficient.

Think about it, trust me the hardest step is the digging!

I would like for people to seriously think about this. How many people can actually go " Off Grid " ?
What does it matter if your going "Off Grid" but still consuming the same amount of energy ? Remember energy comes in many forms..
Would there be any health risk to going completely " Off Grid " ?
Please read the following link before you answer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off-the-grid

Ron45 ,sounds like an interesting question. I would like to see it on a new topic and see what answers you get.

It all depends upon your geographic area. Just look to your current power bill.

Then, factor in how much you can afford and how long it will take you to realize a return on your investment.

If the company installing the system states – “we can save you $X per month….how long until it begins to pay for itself? Months or years?

Personal experience - I shifted to a tankless system in the summer (2008?) and although my electric bill went down - my water and sewage went up drastically.

Why? Because my daughters learned they could pose for holy pictures while showering. Same for the DL.

Seemed like everything that was controlled by estrogen stood under the limitless hot water. My water and sewage bills went up.

Now RON45 raises some good points - green services are good. However, comma, we all need to lower or lessen our consumption of these services.

It may appear to be 'free' at face value.....but sooner or later, you're going to pay someone. Whether that payment shifts to another utility or requires a larger amount of energy consumption, maybe maintenance….somehow, someway, we're going to pay for it.

The lead question is: when do we realize a return on our investment?