New Construction, HP or Gas Furnace, Northern IN

[boilermaker_123]

Hello all,

My builder is offering me 2 choices for my new home and I want to get your opinion.

Standard:
Bryant Electric Heatpump Model 213ANA024 with 15kw heat strips

Natural Gas Option ($1475 upgrade cost):
Furnace: Bryant Model # 340AAV036060
A/C: Bryant: 113ANA024

Which system would be more cost effective for Northern IN? I am leaning towards the Electric Heat pump because we have a municipal electric utility here with very good rates. I understand that some folks don't like the air from heat pumps because it feels cool but this doesn't concern me too much as long as it maintains the home at a comfortable temperature.

Here are my electric and gas rates:
Electric: $ 0.056834/ kwh
Nat Gas: 0.01112125 / cu foot

According to the calculator at warmair.com the heat pump is about half the cost .67 per 100K BTU (HP) vs 1.32 per 100k BTU (Gas)

Am I missing something here or is the HP a no-brainer with my low electric costs?

The house will be around 1450 sq ft brick ranch

Thanks for your advice.
Shawn

[dejomatic]

Why not do both. A dual fuel(heat pump and gas furnace) system gives you the best of both worlds, and a fairly competent hvac contractor should have experience with it.

[BaldLoonie]

Remember that you will be paying $15-20 a month just for the pleasure of having a gas meter. That's not counting any gas usage.

In the Indy area, the cheapest utility bills are for all electric homes with electric heat rates and good heat pumps. Then comes dual fuel. Last are those that heat only with gas.

If you have a good digital heat pump stat, the backup comes on soon enough that most are plenty comfy. In our area, most heat pump homes CAN have gas but when they go to swap out, they stay all electric.

[browntigerus]

Remember that you will be paying $15-20 a month just for the pleasure of having a gas meter. That's not counting any gas usage.


You must not be on Vectren...Our distribution charge btw $39 - $50 per month, thank god we have indiana regulatory board that rubber stamps every energy company request, where would we be w/o them. Oh yeah my gas usage was ~$80.

Cinergy got bought by Duke Energy, so we are pretty much expected to be raped on electrical cost in 3 - 5 years.

If you do not need NG for kitchen, I would not be installing it.

[cem-bsee]

one can tell a Boilermaker -- not much -- doesn't even know what town he lives in!
get a pellet stove

[techace79]

just go with duel fuel and forget about it. if you get it installed properly then you will have the best of both worlds. heat pump on milder days and gas when its below 40. its more expensive but worth it in the long run.