> I assume you don’t live in a very cold climate, in which case a heat pump for your backup heat Like OP, I also live in South Carolina. My primary heat is a m

> I assume you don’t live in a very cold climate, in which case a heat pump for your backup heat Like OP, I also live in South Carolina. My primary heat is a modern, efficient electric heat pump. When it’s cold enough outside that the heat pump is no longer more efficient than gas (maybe 8-12 weeks/yr where I am), the system switches fuel sources and runs a natural gas furnace instead.