Last year the furnace in the house kept going out.  It turns out gas furnaces from the late 80's are fossils now and parts can't be found.  I kept things going fearing the ignitor would go out.  Mostly bad electrical connections, but the blower was weak and in time was going to go.

Hacking in an ignitor from a new furnace might not be wise.  It was time for a new furnace.

But for double the price I got a heat pump and a furnace.  The system has been running for a week and the new back up furnace has not had to kick in and it has been below freezing here.  This is good.


The house is more pleasant.  The system moves air better so it feels two degrees warmer that what the old thermostat said it was for the same comfort.  I think this is because cold spots and drafts seem to be gone with the better flow.  If the system lasts as long as it should energy savings should pay for the initial cost.

The big savings is in energy used.  Heat pumps provide about three times as much heating for the same amount of energy so it is like the old gas furnace got 300% more efficient.  It is a case of your mileage may vary, but Seattle energy prices and climate make the system a good choice.  Gas is cheaper than electricity but the efficiency gain makes up for the difference and a bit more.  As the video explains near the end.

So a little more comfort and the carbon footprint of my home heating is cut in half.  The monthly bill will be reduced, but not by half.