I recently had someone install a brand new 98% eff. Furnace with a 13 seer a/c. They offered to put a dual fuel heat pump in for $2000.00. My gas bills are still a little higher than I would like and I wanted to know if a dual fuel heat pump is really worth the extra money and if it would save me money? Also, how does it help if any? Thanks

Hi,
I am not a Contractor, nor a Heating & Air Conditioning Specialists; just a homeowner familiar with my own heat pump and past oil furnace, working on them sometimes myself. I am not a Professional.
I also live in VA. Within the past months, natural gas prices for heating and cooking have almost doubled in this area, and across the United States. The price for natural gas, and heating oil, isn't going to go down. It's only going to get worse. This info is from Local TV News Networks, and also National TV News Networks (such as CNN).
In TN a month ago, a certain persons gas bill for heating, cooking, etc, went from under $300 a month, to over $500 a month, increases.
You gas bills are going to be higher, and higher. Just as the oil prices for Crude Oil continue to be, on the average, higher; the natural gas prices are following this trend.
Anything you can do to use Electricity will be less cost than natural, or propane, gas for the home. I would not spend any more money on any kind of Natural gas system; unless it can be converted to Electricity.
Electricity bills have increased, but nothing like gas.
Here is a link in regards to the Dual System if you wish to view it:
http://www.theenergycoop.com/page.cfm?ID=24
PS; Many, many people in the SouthEast US are now looking for ways to get rid of Natural Gas for their homes, and using Electricity.

I do wish you the best of luck.

I have a 2800 sq. ft. home and my propane bill is around $300.00 month. Not bad at all. But if I can save money then I can do more upgrades to our home. So would you suggest getting a heat pump? I live in Indiana also. Is a heat pump something I can install on my own? Also, do I have to go with the same people that installed my system or can I shop rates?