Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - best and least expensive?

I am not sure if this is the right place to ask this, but I hope someone can point me towards the right place.

I was wondering if someone knew the different options to heat a house. We have a 1200 sq ft. house, not interested in AC. I'd prefer not having baseboard heating. And, I was thinking about installing a heat pump and possibly AC after 10-15 years since I heard it was the best and most expensive option.

But, other then that, I am clueless.

Also, we will be building in Canada, so rarely have heat over 65-70F, and usually stays around 36F for most of the year.

Go to http://www.warmair.net to compare fuel cost for there. This will tell you what you should look at and use for fuel. Oil Gas or Electric. I think that they come out with electric is the best there then the heatpump is the way to go. If you will be in the home for over 10 years might look into DxGeo heat pump in the ground

ED ;)

Now this is just my opinion and others may disagree. I have lived in the Northern US and Southern US. The homes I had up North were oil fired base board heating systems and in the South I now have a heat pump. Heat Pumps are great because they serve a dual purpose heating and cooling but as far as comfort goes, the heat pumps stink for heat. I would not consider using a heat pump North of Virginia. Unfortunately the best is not usually the least expensive.

Obviously we don't know anything about the house other than it's in Canada & aprox. 1200 sq. ft. That being said, my personal preference is hot water heat. If you don't want baseboard, there are other possibilities. My first choice would be in floor or under floor radiant. Expensive to install, cheap & comfortable to operate. There are also steel panel radiators. Don't confuse them with cast iron. Whole different animal. Take a look at the ones Buderus has to offer. http://www.buderus.net

Obviously we don't know anything about the house other than it's in Canada & aprox. 1200 sq. ft. That being said, my personal preference is hot water heat. http://www.buderus.net

What other kind of information would you like, or that would help you? It'll be a bungalow, with full basement.

I don't necessarly want the cheapest, I just want the best for my situation, and price is a big factor.

I would like to use a furnace with duct system. Either oil or electric. What would be the advantage and disadvantage of both options?

I would still like to convert to heat pump in a few years, my parents have that, and it is nice. So, I'd like to keep that option open. I've had water baseboards, and do like the heat, but don't like the aesthetics of it.

Check energy prices in that area. Not to sound like I'm giving you a smart answer but there is a saying in the trade. There are three choices: good, fast, & cheap. Pick two. This pertains mostly to installation, but can apply to equipment too.

Jocus did you go to that http://www.warmair.net and see what fuel cost less up there yet ????? :wall:

ED ;)

Jocus,
The only way I would try a heatpump above Virginia is with a Geo Thermal.
Go to this site this is where I got my certifcation from.
http://www.igshpa.okstate.edu/geofacts/home.html