Anyone have a heat pump with their furnace?

[Grace]

Thank you. I had done a bit of research this afternoon and read about the freeze ups.

[Vette]

I danno anything about furnaces,, but at the mention of them this story flashed into my mind.

With a future fiancée in his mind, John Metz’s will to live overcame an unthinkable situation of life or death. On June 7 the Connecticut native went to repair his basement furnace when his arm became trapped.

Twelve hours later, with a dire scenario in his hands, Metz made a decision that would change his life forever.

It took six hours to mentally prepare himself, but 18 hours in he began to cut off his own arm.

“The idea was to sever the arm, grab it out of the bottom of the fire box, run upstairs, rinse it off, throw it in the freezer, call 911 and presto bam-o, a few days later I would have my arm reattached,” said Metz.

He passed out halfway through the act, but with an infected arm, Dr. Scott Ellner said his work saved his life.

“It was unlikely that he would survive more than 24 hours if he didn’t do what he did,” said Dr. Ellner.

When he regained consciousness he survived for two days by drinking water leaking from the furnace.

“What emerged was the most disgusting orange water I had ever seen, and yet it was the best looking water I’d ever seen,” Metz said.

Worried friends found him still stuck in the furnace when they came looking. Clinging to life for those few hours alone, his life and future was saved. With his arm now amputated, he explained his actions and thoughts in a news conference earlier this week.

“I would say this to anybody out there who says oh I’m not sure I can do that, the human spirit is strong and trust me whether it’s cutting your arm off or finding some other way, I think all people would be surprised what they are capable of,” said Metz.

source: http://weareaustin.com/fulltext?nxd_id=71035

[Grace]

I'm not sure what the previous post has to do with a question about a heat pump?

I can say with absolute certainty that neither of us would ever attempt to repair a furnace, heat pump, washer, dryer, stove, fridge, or any other household appliance by ourselves. That's what the service people are for.

[Vette]

Yeah i know. its just furnaces tend to creep me out now after that. referring to heart pump or not. LOL

[Logan]

We heat our upstairs with a heat pump. We are in the upstate of SC. I don't remember where it is that you live. I would never choose a heat pump if I could help it because although we don't have lots of snow and don't have days and days of below freezing temps, we do get cold and a heat pump has to work really, really hard and unless the emergency heat strip comes on, it does not put out the warm air that an oil or gas furnace would. Ours still works, and we do cool with it effectively in the summer months, but I would choose something else if I had the choice.

[Cataholic]

although we don't have lots of snow and don't have days and days of below freezing temps.

Today, with the humidity level and temp 80 plus, this statement doesn't make me angry. BUT, had you said this in December, January or February? LOL- watch out!

I soooo long for a more mild climate (fully recognizing we do not have it as bad as many. Still too cold for my liking).

[pomtzu]

I have to agree that heat pumps are not what they've cracked up to be.

This house is all electric (electric furnace), and when we added a 3 room addition several years ago, the contractor recommended a heat pump for that area, since the electric furnace wouldn't handle that too. So of course he was the expert and knew what he was talking about - right?

Well as Maggie said, they are fine for temperate climates, and where the temps don't usually go below 40 for an extended time. If you live in a colder climate, they don't work very efficiently.

I too would have to say - check out other options before you commit to a heat pump.