"Garyg, yes, if the backup were resistance heat strips then it goes back into heat pump mode as soon as the defrost is complete, right? But on this dual fuel setup, at least on my friend's installation, it stays on the propane furnace until thermostat is satisfied, even after defrost is complete. This might concern the original poster because he is looking at dual fuel. Because the every-90-minute operation of the furnace is enough to make up for any that the temperature has come down if the heat pump has been unable to do the job alone, the balance point in this case is a moot point." - You are indeed correct. Good point about back-up strips vs gas back-up having to run to setpoint while in defrost. Not fun if you have expensive propane as back-up. To "Prinesurf": Your utilities, both gas and electric, are cheap. I see no present advantages going with a heat pump (and I am a heat pump guy, by the way). The only reason to go heat pump is to protect yourself from future changes in utility prices which, as "KY114" states, may be a good reason. It would be something that I would consider. "1) I'm looking at how long it will take to recoup a $1800 upgrade to a 13SEER HP, then" - If your gas and electric prices stay the same differential cost for the next 15 years, you will not recover the $1800. "2) if I move up to a 15SEER pump I'm going to guess that will put me upwards of $2500 (since his quote for a 16SEER variable spped a/c unit was $2900)" - You will never recover this additional cost no matter what prices do. "So after all is said and done, when will I recoup these costs? It may be a wash just to stay with the gas furnace!" - Quite possibly, as long as the difference in utility costs stays the same. But we can't predict the future, only prepare for it. I do not want to sway you either way, just provide you with enough info to make the best educated decision that you can. Good luck.

http://www.mcgarryandmadsen.com/inspection/Blog/Entries/2016/2/17_Why_does_an_air_conditioner_condenser_unit_need_to_be_level.html It is supposed to be level, extra stress can be placed on the condenser if out of level. Has something to do with the refrigerant and oil levels. 1-2 degrees is probably acceptable but no mfg will tell you that, they will say level is level.

"slk230red, thank you for your input. I also want to stay with the single speed. If all goes well with this install I will replace the unit on the other side of the house once it stops putting out cold air. galen68, I will post an update once I have chosen the AH and HP." "Had the 2 Ton XR14 AC and 2 Ton TEM4 AH installed with a 5k heat strip. This is exactly what we had with the old unit. Heating is not an issue in Phoenix. Mild winters, heat hardly used. Even on coldest mornings it is on for an hour at most and I turn off completely at night. I read turning off at night would be a big issue with a HP as they say to leave it on and forget it. Why leave the heat on if I am not comfortable? My avg elec bill in winter for 2500sf home w/pool filter on 8hrs every day averages around $120. Not worth the extra $10-30 I could save with a HP, being comfortable is worth the extra $. I am extremely happy with whisper quiet TEM4. Maybe from an hvac point of view it may not make sense but I am happy with my decision." Hi roxan, glad things worked out and that you're enjoying your new XR14/TEM4 system. Be sure to check that your new units are registered on the Trane warranty website to receive the 10 yr. parts warranty. My dealer likes to wait a week or two to make sure everything is working properly, I just checked and everything is registered. He offered to remove and replace anything if I wasn't fully satisfied. Also, there was no money down and he didn't even want full payment until I was completely satisfied. On another note, here is some information I received from someone I know in another state who advised me to get the TEM4 AH: "I recommend the TEM4- non variable or TEM6/7 variable AH. The TAM7 is a plastic cabinet with all new components. To make a long story short, get the TEM4 or TEM6, it's tried and true. The TAM7 is a basket case plagued with problems. Has three different color led lights flashing fault codes known around here as the Christmas tree effect. Unreliable sensors etc. not all 7's go boom but enough that some Trane dealers won't install them anymore. Including me."

I'm leaning towards just heat pump with heat strips. That should be fine for your area. If you plan on keeping it that warm in the house as you say in your OP, I would get the Bosch Inverter heat pump as it produces heat clear down to about 5-6 degrees ambient and very efficient at what it does. Then use the strip heat as you need it. I don't know that you'll find a contractor though for this for a new construction job as Bosch just recently came to the Houston market a few months ago. The distributor network for Bosch is in it's infancy... so there are pros and cons for choosing this brand. For what it does / how it does it --- it's a game changer for my market. (Katy, Texas area) As a comparison --- an average run of the mill single speed heat pump will probably struggle once temps drop into the 20's for any significant amount of time. They are efficient when compared to strip heat (utility bill cost wise) but there are higher limitations with those. I've gotten email notifications from my electric provider that they are estimating my next electric bill at less than $50 for November. This may wind up being my lowest electric bill ever for my power rate of 12 cents per KWH. With that said, I keep it quite chilly during the winter and my house is all electric (no gas at all). I shut it off at night and really just use it to take the chill out of the house in the morning. If it gets really cold here, I will probably just heat the main part of the house over night --- as I have it attached to a 4 zone duct system. (This is to explain the how and why my electric bill is so low -- design of the HVAC system is a big part of it.)