Its possible to add a heatpump without getting a thermostat that has outdoor temp sensor interface. I agree a new heat-pump model thermostat would be needed. During heating mode the thermostat would be set to Emergency when you want to run the gas-furance and heatpump mode when mild outdoors and wanting to run the heatpump. Heatpump thermostats don't cost much money. It depends on each person's situation. Sometimes it can be difficult to run new wires to a thermostat from the furnace (which a heatpump t-stat would need). Other times its easy. When its easy, and you have a contractor willing to install the heatpump for the same or little extra labor as the central A/C its worth it. Having the ability to heat your home using an entirely different method of fuel and heating is a nice option for a relatively small amount of money. Unless you have expensive electricity, heatpumps are very competitive when heating during mild temperatures and probably more comfortable.

Without knowing what area you live in, the question is like asking if I am too fat. Too fat for what purposes? Or am I too tall? By whose standards. For N. Texas the average 3-ton system replacement will cost between $2500-5000. This includes both heating and cooling. You will never find any real realiable prices for HVAC equipment with the exception of Goodman on the web. All of the companies are afraid of Goodman's pricing. All other companies just close thier eyes and 'cry unfair' everytime they read anything about Goodman. The loudest, are the smaller companies. They try to make superiour claims and never substantate thier claims. There are smaller companies that try to come close to Goodman pricing, but usually fall short of the mark. Goodman has changed thier pricing structure recently, and is trying to look more like the other companies. But when the really big companies try to look like all of the rest, there is a underlying factor that the average guy misses. The Taft Hartley act, in all of it's glorius admendments is against the really big guys in any field. It is designed to hinder the big guy and give smaller companies a break. I would imagine Goodman is so large, that they fall into the bad guy side of the act, so current pricing is an attempt to look normal. Microsoft and Everready are other bad guys under this legislation.

Thanks lindasewandsew (Love the name, by the way;) Yes, I'm in Tucson so thanks for the list -- There are a couple of shops on there that I'd forgotten all about so I'll check them out. I really think my problem is that I'm being too darned picky. Ever get an idea of what you want, how little you're willing to pay (especially for something temporary) and then have that "Duh" moment where you realise that it doesn't exist at that price? I should know better -- I sew for a living and shake my head all the time when my customers do that, lol!

I do not see why you would need something deeper then that for a nice kitchen that is not over the top. Yosemite sells several 36" wide units that are 300 cfm rated. They sell to retailers only I do not have my books with me but my memory says the dealer cost is 75-150 they charge us shipping if we order one at a time. I would think you should be able to find many things available for 300 or less. You should state what you feel is reasonable to help sift the answers to match the questions! I would expect total cost as a dealer of about 225 on the more expensive units including shipping. I am waiting on the catalog for broan. I finaly found a local wholesaler who I can work with that stocks broan products. I would tell you about them if I had better numbers at hand.