Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - Replacing Furnace & AC

Greetings,
I am looking to replace a 30 year old electric furnace and central AC. I live in rural southern Iowa, 1,000 sq. ft ranch style house with finished basement. House is all electric service only other option would be propane ($$); natural gas is not run to the area. Three local companies with good reputations/service have all suggested an air-to-air heat pump with electric heat back-up to replace the central ac and electric furnace.
Questions:
1. If units have a similar SEER rating and HSPF (? I think that is what its called) is there any advantage/disadvantage to a 1 speed vs. 2 speed unit? One contractor says a 2 speed is better because it runs more efficently and is quiter. Another contractor says a single speed unit is better becasue they have fewer problems.
2. Any opinion about brands; Lenox, Carrier, Tappen?
3. How important is SEER rating? As I look at our electric rates vs the cost to move up in SEER units, it seems like it would take at leaset a decade to break even.
4. We MAY add a 500 foot addition onto the house with a finished basement in 3-4 years. I told the heating/cooling guys this and they are suggesting 4ton unit. If we don't add the addition will a larger unit cause some significant issues with cooling/heating?

THANKS !

What are you planning on being in the addition?

Seer is somewhat like gas milage. I haven't figured the newest units on it, but last year I figured up that a 13SEER would be 23% more efficent than a 10SEER. The 14 SEER was 28% more than the 10.

I try to remember to post the formula for this when I go back to work.

Hope this helps,
Steve

You say add on later . So Id say go all the way as you will be in the home for a time. Go for the heatpump for sure. Thats all we put in here in Missouri. You also can go for a $300 tax credit from the IRS if you go for a SEER over 15 on the AC. Also if you go for Trane XL15 or better you can get a 10 year warranty on it. Make sure they run a heat loss and AC load on the home and with the add on later. Also rework the duct work to the new load and bigger AC.

ED;)

Hi,

Thanks for the responses and advice. The addition will be a family room upstairs and finished basement downstairs.

Question, what are the advantages and disadvantages of 1 vs 2 speed units?

rustedtoyota


Pros/Cons of 2 speed vs single speed

Pros
1.Better efficiency because you will more than likely operate on lower speed most of the time-usually the lower speed will operate at around 66% of capacity. Also, you will get better dehumidification, quieter with var speed, cheaper to operate with var speed, cleaner air with appropriate air cleaner cabinet, better room to room temp comfort.


Cons
1.2 speed systems cost more and require a var speed blower-either furnace or air handler.
2.Probably more expensive to work on these systems

Keep in mind, if you do factor in your future addition, then your ductwork system more than likely will have to be reworked to handle more CFMs required. This is kind of risky and should be thoroughly reviewed with your dealer. I strongly recommend having a ductwork takeoff with existing sq footage as well as with future addition. Also do the same with heat/cool load calculation. A two speed heat pump might be just the ticket to cover your needs now and with future addition.

My opinion.

I agree with Tiger. I think at this point a 2 speed is your only option.