Heat pumps...

[JavaMan]

Beautiful and I are in the process of replacing an oil furnace.  We have decided to go with a heat pump system, and a new "air handler" (basically where the blower is) which has some auxiliary electric resistance heating elements in it for those really cold days.

I've been tasked with asking if anyone here has any experience with any brands - good or bad, as we need to make a choice here in the next week or 10 days and get it scheduled before the manufacturer's rebates run out 

Any input is greatly welcomed!

[Redoverfarm]

I am sure that each company will say they "have a better mouse trap".  Personally I have a Trane.  It is about 12 years old.  I have had to replace the compressor when it was out of warranty.  I have had good service from the heat pump which is tied into a Trane propane furnace.  If you could get ratings on various brands and sizes maybe that would help.  Maybe find a Heat Pump or HVAC forum and ask around.  To work efficient they should be sized to the structure tonage wise .

I opted for a gas furnace 95% eff to avoid the heat bands as the weather is bad here the majority of the winter and I figured that I could recover that cost in a couple years,

[JavaMan]

I am sure that each company will say they "have a better mouse trap".  Personally I have a Trane.  It is about 12 years old.  I have had to replace the compressor when it was out of warranty.  I have had good service from the heat pump which is tied into a Trane propane furnace.  If you could get ratings on various brands and sizes maybe that would help.  Maybe find a Heat Pump or HVAC forum and ask around.  To work efficient they should be sized to the structure tonage wise .

Yeah, we've talked with 2 companies so far - American Standard, and Trane.  Of course, they each carry "the best heat pump made"... 

And I have read all over the internet about them, but like a lot of things "reviewed" on some sites, I think the reviewer either has an axe to grind or has some other motivation.  I'm looking for personal, anecdotal stories - like what you related - to help balance the hyperbole that I read on the web 

In the words of Vinnie Barbarino, "I'm so confused!"

[John Raabe]

Sometimes the better way to go is to find the right installer first. Someone with a record of long customer satisfaction will know the best way to size, install and service the unit whatever the equipment brand. That said, they will likely work with one brand and have reasons for their opinion.

Ask your builder friends who they use for these jobs? If you have a local lumber yard that has a manager you know, they will have heard all the stories the builders have told them (usually about screw-ups, of course, but that is good info too).