First new home ever

11 years ago

Into retirement and downsizing to new home in developed area; brick sgl level, insulated & vapor barrier crawl space approx 2000 sq ft, zip 47201. Concern for std ht/cool offered. Heat pump shows most eff. Will have nat gas (Vectren) for cooking, laundry, water; Duke Energy elec supplier. Now have Goodman 95% eff furnace 8 yrs old that has been very good. Looking for advice on what to choose for new build, as not sure of their choices. (See Heil in models)

Al R

Featured Answer

Vicki B

11 years ago

Al, I am a wife and homeowner in northern Arkansas. We have built several homes, but I am no expert. We have a heat pump but try to keep it from coming on by feeding our efficient wood heater/fireplace. We live miles from natural gas availability and are pleased with our choice. Large, Low-E windows to the south provide wonderful heat in the winter.

Heat pumps move air. They are effective until the temperature outside gets fairly cold (maybe in the mid-20's or lower?). They can only bring in heat if there is some amount of heat to bring in.

Al, my understanding is that natural gas is an excellent choice for heat.

Please remember that I am NOT an expert. I think you might visit with the folks at your electric company or at a "heat and air" wholesale business to learn how they function.

Obviously, you're doing your homework well. Congratulations on your beautiful new home!

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Comments (9)

acm
11 years ago
I honestly don't know what you're asking. You're concerned that they're not putting in the right kind of furnace?
Al R
Original Author
11 years ago
I thought it was clear, but my wife says sometimes I'm not. Other than as child (coal furnace) I've always had natural gas heat. We are in the process of downsizing and building a single story brick, crawl space w/insulation & vapor barrier, approx 1800 sq ft. With this builder, standard heating & ac is electric (heat pump), but gas is optional. As I read, heat pumps are most efficient but need supplemental heat source. Also, many say the air from HP is "cooler feeling", than gas I'm used to. Our option is to install nat gas for cooking, dryer, water, and backup heat. My present furnace for 8 years is Goodman, rated as one of best and been happy with it.

What I'm trying to determine: Do I stay with known gas furnace for all heat, as well as gas water, dryer and cooking and separate ac unit? Or, should I use gas as the supplement heat with a heat pump for the initial heating and also cooling? Will the heat pump not "feel" as warm as we are used to with the gas? My understanding, builder will upgrade to our wishes, but not sure of premium costs, if any.

In some comments I've read here you suggest some "better" furnaces and/or heat pumps. The heat pumps I've seen on model homes by this builder are Heil, which one review I read shows it far down the list of favorable units.

So, I guess I'm seeking info on heat pump/supplemental gas furnace (if so, preferred brands for application stated), or gas furnace and separate electrical ac unit as we now have in current location for past number of years.

Am I doing better? Smile.

Al
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Vicki B
11 years ago
What region of the country is your new home in?
orangecamera
11 years ago
The zip code he gave is 47201, which is Columbus, Indiana.
Al R
Original Author
11 years ago
Correct; 47201.
Al R
Original Author
11 years ago
In specs for new house, says: High Eff Heil Heat Pump with Central Air (unit sized by heating & air contractor). Some units do have gas, but not sure what was used. In beginning stages and asking questions and trying to do research for long term best applications.
Al R
Original Author
11 years ago
Still don't see anyone giving ideas of good and bad of a heat pump, or good and bad models such as to avoid. Need to decide before very long. Am sure that will have nat gas furnace, but is that to be supplement to heat pump in Indiana, or main source of heat, with separate elec ac unit as we have in current house??
smit2380
11 years ago
This forum is mainly a design forum, generally less technical than your question. The home forum under the garden web discussions on this site may be a better fit for your question.