Oh, we built a house in an all electric neighborhood, so we did not have a choice of going with gas...which sucks!

theboneskes

what is your location? How large is your home?

It appears you have a 2 1/2 ton Trane XB13 heat pump condenser. It is Trane's entry level builder grade HP and as expected has relatively poor performance/eff numbers.

If you can, post the model number of inside air handler and I can give you exact numbers.

Heat pumps have been used successfully in Southeast and other areas that have moderate winters and in recent years have received renewed interest due to high costs of fossil fuels. ie nat gas and fuel oil, particularly in dual fuel system applications.

Heat pump BTUs and supply temp drop as the outside temp drops. The difference needed to keep your home comfortable is made up by aux or supplemental heat provided by electric resistance heat strip. Any idea what size heat strip you have?

When your home's inside thermostat setting can not be maintained and temperature begins to drop, your aux heat or supplemental heat strip engages. Heat pumps produce some amount of BTUs/heat even at low outside temps.

if you are sized correctly, there is no reason that this system can not provide a reasonably comfortable home. If you question whether your system is performing correctly, I suggest purchasing an inexpensive digital thermometer from one of the big box stores and take some readings at various supplies and returns inside your home noting time of day, outside temp, and whether heat strip is engaged(from the stat XT500 stat screen).

IMO