I think the ultimate combo will be heat pumps + wood pellet stove as supplemental heat. Then you can cutoff the gas grid connection and its associated standby/

I think the ultimate combo will be heat pumps + wood pellet stove as supplemental heat. Then you can cutoff the gas grid connection and its associated standby/account/blah blah charges. It’s a big sunk cost in a lot of places that messes with the economics of switching to heat pump as primary heat. Pellet stoves are semi-automated. Around 90% efficient. If you already have central heat pumps, you can install one and let your HVAC circulate the heat around. Can stockpile as much fuel as you want. Cheaper than oil or propane and not much more expensive than firewood once accounting for improved burn efficiency. Just need to empty the ash gray once a week or so, and dump a nice smelling bag in for every ~24h of operation. Relatively straightforward install: just need a wall to punch through and a standard power outlet. Minimal clearance requirements. Fun to watch the fire tornado. Big downside is they need some electricity (mainly for for the powered vent). Hit or miss when it comes to insurance companies that think explosive gas systems or high current electric devices are safer.