--108.221.xxx.xxx

I’m getting ready to replace the unit at my personal residence and will be getting rid of my heat pump in exchange for a straight cool unit. --24.236.xx.xx

A split high efficiency heat pump is a refrigerator in reverse where at extremely cold winter like what occurs here where temperatures -20 to -40 degrees Celsius will not work well. Often it is better to improve envelop where spray foam in walls and ceilings reduces heat loss and heat gain. A split heat high efficiency heat pump the outside compressor works on modulation principal where compressor runs at a speed depending on load where if temperature difference outside to inside is not great the compressor will operate at lower speed until temperature is meant. Most high efficiency split heat pumps have a 7 to 10 year warranty on compressor where it is more efficient to install a few high efficient heat pumps then use one for the furnace. Any HVAC system will last much longer if insulation and windows are up grated. Well more efficient but expensive to install a ground sourced heat pump where pipes are in the ground then ground temperature is constant all year round not dependant on outside temperature. So often people install HVAC without any improvements in insulation. Again if want to find out more information on how a high efficiency split heat pump works then view videos on You Tube along how to upgrade insulation on house or buildings. --207.236.xxx.xxx

Is heat something folks in Texas worry about? I didn't think Texas had much winter to even think about. If it's metered utility and you are not paying for it should you be concerned? I'd listen to the man in the business. --172.59.xxx.xxx

We have heat pumps everywhere, every house. It's what they do around here, no HVAC person would question it nor would they ever advise against it. The savings in heat season - even if short - are dramatic. I don't know how to quantify the cooling, but we've had units where the tenant was using the electric heat by mistake and their bills were dramatically higher than when they switched to heat pump mode. FWIW. --173.28.xx.xxx

That being said we have real winter around here and I only have one heat pump. It was bought by mistake but cost me no extra. It works much better than the ceiling cable heat in that unit. --107.147.xx.xx

Fiber glass insulation is the worst insulation out there where will become moldy then loose insulation value. Spray foam is completely air tight where no loss at all along with can if required can not take to the dump. Canadian dumps will not take hazardous waste.If go to the transfer station to Ann Arbor Michigan. Upgrading insulation has reduced temperature drops where will use high efficiency gas furnace a lot less. At night use wood stove then do not turn on furnace. It is going another year to continue to take fiber glass insulation than complete the DIY two can process. The main advantage for installing a heat pump is cooling where during summer it gets warm for a fee hours than at night open windows than use ceiling fans. While a high efficiency split heat pump will use approximately half the energy of electric resistant heat that can improved by improving insulation and new low E glass windows. A one degree drop for a few hours or a day than will not need to use HVAC system as much. Radiant electric floor heating will use less but more than high efficiency split heat pump. Energy costs in Canada is much more then Us as result of carbon tax where next election the Liberals will out. --207.236.xxx.xxx

A lot of research to do with HVAC, southern climates are good with heat pumps, the primary difference is in the outdoor unit doing the mechanical reversing changeover however with equipment after 2000 there are adjustable flow rates that evolved with r-410, so now the coils must be matched within 10 percent or 1 operation will suffer effectiveness. --184.59.xxx.xx

I have all heat pumps on my units (no gas in the neighborhoods) and am not a fan. The relays and valves that are required to reverse the compressor and control the gas flow aren't reliable and the units don't live long. I may switch to using a mini-split on my next install so that the heat pump is only used for heat and never has to switch to cool the place. --73.2.xx.xx

Matt, I am in DFW too, about to replace 2 ACs next week. My AC guy said no heat pump as well. He said with tenant occupant homes that runs HVAC year-round, heat pumps will break faster and more expensive to replace. I am putting in 15 sear in my rental, still more energy efficient than the old units. --70.119.xxx.xx

Plus, during a vacancy, me not having to deal with the PITA gas company (Spire) is another plus for me. The power company here is a pleasure to deal with but the gas company is a different story. --71.207.xxx.xx

I see. Here in DFW we might get few cold days, or a week below freezing. pretty mild winter most of the time --70.119.xxx.xx

Overall, I would not be too concerned of the increased cost if your winters are short and not super cold...but I don't know your weather well enough to be more specific. --64.38.xxx.xxx

You can argue the don't last as long because they run year round. I will argue they last longer for the same reason. If your AC sits up for months at a time without running, you are more likely to have problems next time it starts. --69.80.xx.xx

I am in DFW as well, heat pumps did break for me more often, so I eliminated All of them. I don’t know why you couldn’t find someone to do what you want. --66.169.xxx.xxx

Lisa; you must be new to Texas…. --12.232.xxx.xx

Split high efficiency heat pumps are more efficient then using a central heat pump which goes through heat ducts as more energy is transferred. A few high efficiency split heat pumps then if one breaks down can use others. Like anything else filters must be cleaned then outside must be cleaned as well. Maintenance is important where extends life along upgrading insulation will reduce on time. --207.236.xxx.xxx