I have a 5 year old Furnace/AC system (York). It was whatever the builder selected, meaning it is the cheapest thing they could get away with, and I didn't have any input in what they were going to use. The furnace is gas - 80% efficient. The AC compressor is 10 SEER. Nothing special at all. It is the cost of gas that has me thinking, plus concerns that a year from now gas prices will be even higher, but electricity is going up too...
I guess what I am wondering is whether it would pay to replace the AC unit with a high-efficiency heat pump. Keep the gas furnace, but have it configured to only run as a backup. I guess the first question is whether I would be automatically required to replace the furnace at the same time, or whether it would be possible and sensible to substitute a new heat pump for an older AC system and keep the furnace the same.
Part of me wants to say that getting rid of a 5 year old AC compressor is wasteful, but the thing is already wasteful as it is. Is there any sensible use for a 5-year old compressor other than as a boat anchor?
Anyone else have any words of wisdom?