I do kind of hate: a) having to plumb a separate system for a furnace, and theres some cost there. How much does set up cost? And b) having a separate bill/utility/point of failure.

But other than that, gas seems like a slam dunk.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720579&forum_id=2#48904657)

heat pumps are very efficient at warmer temps but below freezing become very inefficient. they make "low temperature" heat pumps which just add electric coils which are extremely inefficient.

the biggest reason is that the only difference between a heat pump and a/c is which way the refrigerant is flowing, so you essentially already have a heat pump with an a/c system, all they have to add is a valve that can reverse the flow and a system to control it. so if you're getting a/c you might as well spend a little bit to get one that doubles as a heat pump so you're not running the furnace when its' 35-60 and you've got redundant heating systems.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720579&forum_id=2#48904716)

I like the redundancy. Knowing how expensive ac is, is it really more cost effective than just blasting your cheap natgas furnace when its 45 out? Would love to know more.

I also plan to have a woodburning masonry furnace in basement as an additional redundant heating system, and to take the sting out of heating bills. I will have a lot of wood.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720579&forum_id=2#48904745)

there are so many variables with hvac. your location, cost of fuel, your houses soze, how well its insulated, etc.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720579&forum_id=2#48904761)

Also gas stoves are 180.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720579&forum_id=2#48904726)

I can make a large moka pot in under a minute, leave things simmering like a crock pot, and blast searing heat on/off in 1 second. No fumes.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720579&forum_id=2#48907645)

The geothermals (which is really a misnomer - they are technically ground sink/source heat pumps)cost very little to run in AC mode (their EER is about 30), and generate about 4-5x as much energy as they use when in heating mode. Our house is 4670 sq ft plus 4000 sq ft basement and well insulated.

One possible disadvantage of any electric heating system is that if you live in an area with frequent power outages and want to have a backup generator to cover the electric heating load it will get huge and expensive. I use a wood stove and bottled propane gas logs for backup heat, though have never needed it.

I have two of these: https://www.waterfurnace.com/residential/products/geothermal-heat-pumps/500a11

Since there's no combustion they are very safe. You can throw away your CO detector.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5720579&forum_id=2#48904991)