I would like some feedback from anyone that has or have installed a new system in their home that incorporates a AC/heatpump with an oil furnace. I have had a few different companies come to my home to give estimates on a new system and most have suggested to add a heatpump to help on savings with my oil usage.

I once had a heatpump as the primary source for heating about 15 years ago and swore that I would never have another one. Was not at all happy with the way they heated my home and the cost of when temps dropped, how they used the electric heat strips to supplement the heating.

The sales pitch that these companies are saying sure makes it sound like this is the way to go, but a sales pitch is a sales pitch.

So, basically, I would like as much information from both people that have gone this route and their pro's and con's plus those in the business as to whether this would be a way that I may want to go.

In any case, this is what I've found out so far. Seems like everyone that I have talked to and researched say that the duel system is the way to go. The general consensus about R22 verses R410A is that it would be better to stick with the R22 because there are still some issues with the newer R410A because of the greater head pressures and of being more prone to leakage and still relatively new. I've read that when 2010 gets here, units can only be produced using R410A. But as in the change over of R12 to R134, the earlier coolant will still be available. As for the compressor, the scroll has promise but is noisier than the reciprocating and, this I am not sure of, the scroll compressor only uses R410A.

From a previous post;
One word of advise told to me by two people in the business, don't get the variable speed blower crap.

I am still not clear on the variable speed fan for the furnace as far as pro's and con's.

I've looked at the two stage models that have the two compressors but they seem to be pretty pricey and I know of the two stage single compressors, but again, am not sure if they can use R22. If there are any other things to consider, I would appreciate hearing about them.

In trying to stay within budget, as of now with still an open mind, I've narrowed it down to a Trane XL 15I AC/Heatpump using R22 with a XV 80 Trane oil furnace.

Does this, in your opinion, seem like a sound choice for about $7,000.00

Oh, by the way, my location is in northeastern Maryland

First of all STAY away from the factory variable speed motors. Reason is cost. Not when new but if you ever have to replace that DC motor get your check book and prepare to write a big one. Motor 800.00 end bell electronics 500.00, special circuit board 450.00. This is what is being charged retail in my area for replacement of these parts. The amount of money saved on utility bills is peanuts as compared to replacement parts cost.

A heat pump will never put out hot air like a oil or gas furnace but heat pumps can and will save you big $$ on your overall heat bill.

You will need a dual fuel control to prevent the oil furnace from running when the heat pump is on. Some new thermostats have a built in program for this and you do not have to buy a duel fuel control. Running the oil furnace and the heat pump on a standard upflow furnace is not a good idea at all. It can and will destroy the heat pump in short order because the heat pump coil will not be able to discharge its heat load because the oil furnace has the air already hotter than the heat pumps discharge temperature.

What ever you do find a company that is know for it fine instillation and service. It really does not make a difference what brand of equiptment you buy because it all works the same. What really matters is the people putting it in for you. A good install is worth more than all the money you might spend on the higher priced equiptment with all the bells and whistles.

You can beat yourself to death trying to figure out is this is the best thing for you to do or if the price is right. What it all comes down to is your research on your local level to find the best company in your area. Since we do not live in your area we cannot be of any help with that.

Over the years my corporation installed many duel fuel units and all worked well but if you like to put your hands of feet on a register to get warm a duel fuel will not be for you when the heat pump is running. Heat pumps depend upon a high velocity of luke warm are to heat and nothing can be done about that.

On a side note. Many years ago we installed a heat pump system for some folks that had big money. They wanted the best and we gave the best to them. When winter came the they called and said they really did not like the air temperature that was coming from there grills. To fix this I jumpered one bank of the electric heat elements to come on when the heat pump was running. That made the air much warmer to the touch. They thought I did a miracle an told all there friends about how we made there heat pump feel as warm as regular furnace. For the next month we ran calls for all there friends to make there heat pumps work better and I did the same thing to all of them and made some $$$ to boot. There comfort was more important than energy savings and no one ever complained about there electric bill being higher. All this goes to show you that some folks will never be happy with a heat pump and I suggest you think over what you are about to do since you have already had a experience with a heat pump.

There are some real high efficiency oil and gas furnaces out there. You might get one of those instead of a heat pump and then you can get a high efficiency A/C unit to go with it. I do not have a heat pump in my 2600 square foot home and never will. I also do not like the air temp situation with a heat pump. I ave a 90+ efficient boiler with three hot water fan coils and three separate A/C units so my house is completely zoned for energy savings. Why heat the whole house all day when you do not use the whole house all day. We just heat the rooms as needed on a computer driven schedule.

I forgot to mention R-22 will be available in new equiptment till 2010. R-22 refrigerant will be allowed to be manufactured till 2020. There will be R-22 available for another 25 years after that because of recycling. So by 2045 I am sure none of us will be worried about that situation because the equiptment will be replaced by then.

At the university where I teach augratis since I am retired we have experimented with many different refrigerants. R-410A (Carrier name Puron) works well but has a few draw backs. First it works under a much higher pressure than R-22. The oil used with R-410A is a moisture magnet and special care needs to be taken when the system is installed or serviced because of this moisture contamination possibliity. Many companys have not had the oppurnity to work or install R-410A systems. Make sure the employees who come to do your install have gone to class as offered by the manufactures for this refrigerant. This refrigerant must also be installed as a liquid because it is a two part mixture of two different refrigerants and they will not flow corectly together if used as a gas for charging purposes. There is more to this but I you have enough information as a home owner to arm yourself for self protection. LOL