Hello, we are retiring and considering a move to a smaller community. Many of the homes there have gas heat and the cost of natural gas is outrageous to say the least. One house is about 8 years old. How do I go about changing to a heat pump? Wouuls I need to dhave all new or can I use the existing outside unit?
Thanks D Muzzy

You will need a new air handler (furnace) in the basement, and nearly certainly a new outside unit.

If you are in an area of the country where the winters are harsh (frequently below 25 degrees f), then a heat pump is not recommended. Heat pumps are best where the worst of winter is high 20s to low 30s.

Of course you'll probably also be needing another 220 line at your breaker box too.

Thanks Rick, that's about what I figured! House has a crawl space in Central Kentucky. This is going to be fun!
By the way the units usually have an "Emergency" heat setting if it gets colder than What you described, and then when it kicks in you can warm your hands on the meter!

I think an honest HVAC guy would confirm that a heat pump is not the way to go for central KY. The emergency heat settings on heat pump tstats basically is just bypassing the heat pump altogether so you're getting heat from the furnace only. Below about 25 degrees Fahrenheit a heat pump will run and run but not be doing anything.

The only extra efficiency you get with a heat pump is when you're heating the place when it's 30-60 degrees outside.

If you're looking to spend money to save on heating think about windows and weatherproofing.