Finnicky I generally agree with the remarks from the previous post. It should be noted that on a BTU basis, the operating cost between HP and nat gas is basically a wash. See below. Cost per 100,000 btu of useable heat Heat pump: $1.10 Natural gas:$1.09 Like the other posters, I am surprised about the price of the XL16c and I also prefer the Trane over the Carrier package units. I would recommend a new lineset. What thermostat has been proposed? It makes a difference.plus I would want an outdoor thermostat to control the switch point between HP and nat gas. What size furnace is available for the 3 ton dual fuel unit? I would add the Ext warranty and a whole house air filter cabinet. Perhaps you might ask about the HW Mdl 200. If you have any hot/cold spots within home, now is the time to address. How many returns does your home have? You want to be certain they are sized correctly, located strategically for best airflow and overall comfort. IMO

I think I would also be like you and need to paint while the house is empty. I think the suggestions above are good ones. Also look at Revere Pewter, a Ben. Moore color that is very popular. It's a warm grey and you can do a search and find it here. Also, a neighbor of mine just painted her living room and hall a color called Dune Drift in the Seaside Collection by Valspar paint, sold at Lowes. It's a very calming color that is a neutral greyed green. A great Ben. Moore color that a few friends used and I love (and wish I used it in hindsight) is called Bamboo Shoot #1529. The other colors on the same strip as this that are deeper in color are also beautiful (Ocean Pebbles). My daughter just painted her bedroom BM Coventry Grey,a beautiful grey (cooler grey with a trace of blue). She says she feels like she is living in Nantucket. Beautiful with white molding. I have seen photos of most of these colors on this site. I don't like how the colors show on My Perfect Color, so don't check them out there. Sorry, I don't know any specific colors by Behr, but they will match anything because the color formulas are in their computer.

I would like suggestions for rugs - 5 foot round for foyer and 9' X 11' rectangle for dining room. budget is up to $1000 for both. Preferably rug colors that would allow me to keep the stair carpet but move toward a lighter, color for the foyer and dining room rugs. Also I would like suggestions for drapes and fabric for chairs for dining room. Budget for that would be around $500.

A good design rule is to leave 3 ft all the way around the table for circulation and chair space. That would make your largest allowable table size to be 5ft x 6ft.