Is natural gas available? If it is then if you do go with option no. 1, then I would recommend a gas fired boiler. The installation cost will be higher, but I think the pay back will not be long. If gas is not available then I think you are better off with option no. 2. I say this even though an 1850's house should have the charm of a one-pipe steam system. I grew up with this type of system and it bring back fond memories.

I assume the Bosch heat pump is the inverter type. It is expensive but they perform well in cold climates. You will have to install a back up heating which are usually electric heat strips. I imagine house built in the 1850's is not well insulated and has a large heating and cooling load. The heat pump needs to be sized for cooling. It could be undersized for heating. The heating strips would make up the difference. Heat pump technology has improved over the years so that it can effective in the North East.

If you post the cost of a gallon of oil and your electric and gas rates, a relative cost comparison can be done.

Thank you, mike.

Natural gas is available, although I understand we would have to convert the water heater also, since they both use the same flue.

The Bosch heat pump that was proposed is the inverter 2.0 series, with the electric heat strips. I'm glad to know they perform well in cold climates! I didn't know it should be sized for cooling - that's a good tip.

I believe these are our current rates:

Electric - 19.6 cents per kwh

Gas - $2.54 per ccf

Gallon of oil - 3.12 (we haven't gotten oil lately, but that's the current NYS average)

If these don't make sense, I may have gotten something wrong.

Thank you!

The electric rate is high but in line for NY. The fuel oil is what i would expect. The gas rate seems really high. Check that number again.

The Bosch heat pump that was proposed is the inverter 2.0 series, with the electric heat strips.

If you have natural gas available why not put in gas furnace with the Bosch 2.0? You then use a dual fuel kit to make it work right.

Then what you pay less for: electric or gas and you can alternate between the two. Or if it's really cold just use gas heat. However, the Bosch can deliver heat down to 5F.

The bigger question is where are you getting the Bosch from?

Can't get them here until maybe Dec. or January 2022. ----- If you need it, want it, can find it? Don't wait long. (Long meaning a few days to a week.)

Note: Sizing isn't the issue people think it is with the Bosch. They only make 2 sizes. 5 Ton and 3 Ton. So if you think you are going to size it specifically... well home owners and others that like to "try their hand" at a skilled trade?

I know Mike is trying to be helpful... but? (what you don't know isn't going to help anyone here.)

In terms of the Bosch I doubt it would make much difference if you sized it for heating... unless you needed more heat than a 5 ton unit can produce. --- If you sized it for 5 tons of heat and then later found some problems and realize 4 tons is what you need for cooling... well that same model can be "configured" to 4 ton operation.

Same thing with the 3 ton model... it can be "configured" to 2 tons.

Why you can't "really" get into trouble with the Bosch? It's an inverter. Depending on the model you need it has over 50 speeds of mode of operation. It's design is to run and continually adjust. It does this by ramping (up and down) compressor as well as condenser fan speed at a moments notice.

The bigger problem: Undersizing. Because once it's fully ramped up, that's all you get.

Inverters solve the sizing problem quite well. Provided of course the people you use know what they are talking about.

I service the Katy, Texas area.

Yes of course you can also choose "Builder Grade Information" via Mr. Ross.

(The "let's find something to argue about" builder. Personally I think he just likes to hear himself yack.)

Why do they call it builder grade? You know.

@Austin Air Companie

I suspect folks down in Houston know a lot more about air conditioning than they do heating. My guess, after the "big freeze" is that they'll be learning more about heat. Your post makes it evident that you don't know much about heat pumps in heating mode. You might want to well, chill a little on the topic until you've leaned something worth sharing. Or you could continue your well exercised tactics of diverting and redirecting when someone takes issue with your misinformation. And when that tactic doesn't work you can always result to put downs and name calling. This is houzz.com, Ray, professionals shouldn't behave like third graders on the the playground. Grow up.

And when that tactic doesn't work you can always result to put downs and name calling.

Actually that is the reverse... this is what Mr. Ross does....

Mr Ross should take his own advice...("grow up") stop calling people names. (If you can't take the heat stop following me into the attic)

From another illustrious failure of a thread that involves a whole lot of keyboard pounding...

Click to enlarge if necessary...

PS: I am from Chicago area over 20 years ago.

Ray, I didn't call you stupid. I used a line from the Blue Collar Comedy tour that's made it's way into common usage --if it wasn't already. It's your comment that was stupid.

Charles... implied means just as much.

I expect nothing but that from a builder. Because the builder's role is to keep costs down, keep thumbs in the backs of people so the builder makes more $$$. (control those sub-contractors and GC's)

It's your role being played out over and over. Belittle and keep the peasants & peons in line.

You're a builder you can't help it. Maybe you come here for pity?

I've been in HVAC for 27 years, how you act or what you say, how you say it --- I am acutely aware nothing has changed in those 27 years.

Now will this invoke change on your part... or more pity for you?

@Austin Air Companie

I don't know what your experience with builders has been, but you apparently paint them all with the same brush. Fortunately, clients don't. There are builders who build tract-type and entry-level multi-family homes and others who build architect-designed high-end custom homes, like our company.

We've built custom homes for engineers, architects, and retired admirals. One reason we get selected is because we understand and incorporate building science principles in our designs. We are involved in the design of the mechanical systems in each of our homes (I'm a licensed professional engineer and I worked in industry on a wide variety of air conditioning and refrigeration projects over 18 years before making the career change to custom home builder.) We don't put cheap anything in our homes because our clients don't hesitate to call us if there are problems with their homes even 20 years after completion.

Houzz.com is a forum which enables houzzers to collect information from a variety of posters. When there's misinformation spread, you can bet I'll continue to challenge it. Houzzers can decide for themselves what information to keep and what to throw away.

Gentlemen, Thank you all for your comments, but this thread has gone a little astray from my original question. We have engaged an HVAC professional who has done a Manual J calculation, knows our climate, and has lots of 5 star reviews. We will probably go with the heat pumps, and your comments validating that these are decent units have helped. NY state, in conjunction with local utility companies and certified clean heat contractors, is offering sizeable rebates, which is also a factor. Thank you all!

Gentlemen, Thank you all for your comments, but this thread has gone a little astray from my original question. We have engaged an HVAC professional who has done a Manual J calculation, knows our climate, and has lots of 5 star reviews.

Yeah it's a rather unfortunate attribute of conducting business here... politics of this board get in the way.

I'm at least glad that you were able to read between the lines to determine your path forward.

The Bosch inverter (if you can get one) is a remarkable machine for what it does. When done properly IMO there is nothing that comes close to this beast. I know I love mine.

I service the Katy, Texas area.