I am not sure I would install a central air unit anywhere except florida or somewhere that hardly has any heating days. The savings per additional cost factor between a central air unit and heat pump is huge. The fluctuating cost of propane and rarely having to use any unless its 20 degrees or below would be a big bonus. There will be some used between 20-30 but very very little.

The heat pump longevity might be less than a straight a/c unit but the savings would offset that many times over.

Anyone who is not in agreement please speak up.

Carl, where are you located? What sources of fuel are available besides propane, if any?

As CBM said, propane is expensive and the pricing is unstable. I got rid of a propane furnace/AC combination as fast as I could.

The only place I could see that combination making sense is someplace with extremely cold winters, hot summers, no other viable fuel source, and a geothermal heat pump not an option due to cost or other limitations.

In a place with virtually no heating days like South Florida, It would be a toss-up between a heat pump and AC with heat strips.

carl

this is your third thread in about as many days on the exact same subject. I have re-read the other threads and you have received solid advice at no cost to you. I suggest you go back and read them again as well.

for you, it is the question of heating comfort vs heating operating cost. you still perceive heat pumps from the old days where they developed a bad reputation. As stated previously, today's high eff systems are as different as night and day. The decision for me would be a no-brainer. I would not have propane for the Baltimore area/climate.
If properly maintained, the question of longevity of HP vs straight AC is a moot issue. Plus as I recall you have a pellet stove for backup on a power outage or those extra cold days like our country experienced earlier this month.

here are my minimum specs for new HP system

15 SEER, 12.5+ EER, 9 HSPF
best matching VS air handler
full BTUs in both cooling and heating for your rated size
R-410a refrigerant(same as Puron)
scroll compressor preferred
electronic demand defrosat preferred
thermostat with "dehumidify on demand" feature
staged backup heat strips
new and correctly sized refrigerant lineset

you may want to take a look at attached link for fuel comparison calculator that might be helpful to you in your decision making process.

IMO
Good Luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Fuel Comparison Calculator

"carl
this is your third thread in about as many days on the exact same subject. I have re-read the other threads and you have received solid advice at no cost to you. I suggest you go back and read them again as well."

Agreed. He posts the same question 3 times and never responds to the replies that are given to him.

My advice: he obviously does not like heat pumps, and doesn't want to hear otherwise. So he should get himself a nice propane furnace. They produce hot air and are very expensive to run.

He'll be very happy with his purchase.