Look at the SEER ratings. When I replaced my furnace and A/C 10 years ago, I looked into heat pumps. The contractor I worked with convinced me dedicated A/C units are more efficient than heat pumps at cooling. I installed an 80% efficient dual rate gas furnace. In cold weather where the heat pump might need auxiliary resistance heat, the furnace runs at 80% efficiency. In milder weather, it uses a lessor firing rate for greater efficiency. Gas and electric costs are both going up sharply. Still, likely gas will continue to be the cheapest for home heating.
Also, if you have any other gas appliances, you will continue to pay to maintain gas service.
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