hybrid heat vs standard system
We're in the process of replacing a furnace and air conditioner, both 20+ years old. We're trying to choose between a standard furnace + A/C system, and a furnace - heat pump (air) hybrid heat combo (Carrier Infinity). The difference in process is about $2500 or so. It doesn't seem as though the heat pump combo is that likely to pay for itself, although it might in the long haul. I've been going through this forum and elsewhere trying to research this, but we can't come up with compelling reasons to go with one system or the other. We live in Wisconsin, use LP for the furnace (now at $2.50+ per gallon), and pay about .10 per kilowatt for electricity. We have a strong interest in energy efficiency; we use a wood stove to supplement the gas heat, and have solar panels that cover about 75% of our annual electricity costs. Why would a heat pump be worth the extra $$?