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.