> Almost all new construction already uses forced air heat pump systems for energy cost reasons. Here, natural gas is typically $2 a therm. Efficient furnaces

> Almost all new construction already uses forced air heat pump systems for energy cost reasons. Here, natural gas is typically $2 a therm. Efficient furnaces are better than 90%, so $2 for 90,000 BTUs into the house or $1 buys 45,000 BTUs into the house. Electricity is about 30 cents a kilowatt hour. Good air source heat pumps have a COP in mild weather of about 4-- much worse when cold. This is about 45,000 BTUs/$ best case. So here, heat pumps are about breakeven vs. natural gas or slightly worse in energy costs... And they're more expensive in capital costs.