First of all, thanks for all who post here. I've learned a tremendous amount just by browsing.

I'm receiving quotes for AC and Furnace for my 1400 sq ft home (2 floors + basement) in Arlington, VA. House is uninsulated 1940s masonry construction with dbl. pane windows. I'm doing a renovation and adding insulation to kitchen/dining area, roughly 1/4 of the total home.

Most of the contractors are discouraging me from Heat Pumps. I'm getting a 95% natural gas furnace, and either A/C or hybrid/dual fuel heat pump.

For comparison purposes, I have the bids below, which include condenser, furnace, coil, thermostat, new 30 foot line, and two ducts or so (renovating so knocked out some ducts).

None of the contractors have offered to do a load calc. Current equipment is 2.5 ton 30 year old Carrier condenser that doesn't work, and 88k btu 80% furnace (17 years young). Proposed sizes run from 2 to 3 tons, and 75k to 90k BTU.

Should I pursue the Heat pump dual fuel option even if it costs me $1000 or more to do it? Am I missing anything, other than demanding a load calc? (It is competitive here in the DC metro area, but I'm calling folks with good references from Checkbook and Angie's list and they seem pretty busy, so I don't think they want to spend hours doing Manual J just to earn my business. Perhaps I insist on it before striking the final deal?)

Thanks for taking a look. Prices include rebates...

Total Cost,Furnace,A/C,Thermostat,Coil

$9,142,355AAV048090, 2 stage 90k btu,30k btu, 16 SEER, single speed, 126BNA036,Evolution,CNPVP030

$9,100,Trane XV-95 2 stage 76k btu,24k btu, 16 SEER, Single speed, XL15i,TCONT803,Aspen ACE30D44175L015

$10,440,Carrier 58MVC080-14 3 stage 95.5%, 80k btu,24APA536A003, 36k btu, 16 SEER, single speed,Programmable,CNPVP4821

$10,669,355AAV048090, 2 stage 90k btu,30k btu, 16 SEER, single speed, 286BNA036,Evolution,CNPVP030

$11,150,Carrier 58MVC080-14 3 stage 95.5%, 80k btu,24APA736A003, 36k btu 17 SEER, 2-speed,Infinity,CNPVP4821

$11,980,Carrier 58MVC080-14 3 stage 95.5%, 80k btu,24ANA136A003, 36k btu, 18 SEER, 2-speed,Infinity,CNPVP4821

$11,510,Carrier 58MVC080-14 3 stage 95.5%, 80k btu,25HPA636A003, 15.5 SEER Hybrid heat pump 8.6 HSPF,Infinity,CNPVP4821

$12,375,Carrier 58MVC080-14 3 stage 95.5%, 80k btu,25HNA936A003, 17 SEER Hybrid heat pump 9.0 HSPF,Infinity,CNPVP4821