Are power outages common?

[hardluk1]

DLM Then you have not been threw a full winter yet or don't pay attention to your electric bill as a heat strip has to supplement your winter heat needs in the peal of winter even with a 20seer + unit . Get close enough to your compressor as temps drop to the low 30's and you will hear a heat pump go it to whats called a reverse cycle to defrost the coils outdoors .

Now if this OP want to up grade to a 20seer plus unit it will heat in the 20's but with with a bit lower 66 to 68* "hot air " . The down side is still HOW are you going to run it if power goes out .

What makes you think this house covers anything other than the basic's when this 2600 foot has a SEER rating of 14 heat pump that will have heat strip of maybe 14kw its doubtful this contractor is doing anything other than covering the basic's for home construction IF so the home owner would probably be experienced enough to figure out the generator part on his own . For a large basic 14seer heat pump and electric strip a larger generator would be needed .

Never met a client that wanted a energy smart home that was not well versed in most all of what they wanted in it coming in . Generator back up included .



Now if you still don't under stand do your own research - Google - Heat pump limits in cold weather

[Tominftl]

Anyone have and use wood stoves? I hear they’re much better than a fireplace. Wonder how much mess it is and is it worth it to have one put in.

[Susieisanartist]

We use a very efficient wood stove. Heats 1800' on 2 floors. Make sure yours has a good blower to distribute the heat. We installed concrete board on the wall behind it, and then covered the wall and the nearby floor with tile. The stove company did the installation. Pretty painless! Placed a wood box beside the stove to keep things tidy, and vacuum regularly. It's really not messy, at all. It's very worth it, for us, because there are plenty of fallen trees around our property. We do have central heat, but rarely use it. Note that you must learn how to clean the pipe, or else pay someone to do it. We detach it from the bottom and clean it with a brush several times per season.