When my husband and I purchased our home, the property was already equipped with a furnace and ductwork. In our local area, heating is definitely a priority. We need to turn up the thermostat and rely on heating from early October until the end of April. We experience temperatures down to negative twenty degrees, brutal wind chill and record-breaking snow accumulation. While the summers tend to be short, we can expect high heat and humidity. For a couple of years, we struggled with window air conditioners in the bedrooms and box fans in the rest of the house. We weren’t happy with the level of comfort or aesthetics of the portable equipment. We decided to invest into centralized cooling. Initially, we planned to purchase a conventional air conditioner to pair with the furnace. However, once I started researching the different makes, models and features, I came across electric heat pumps. I learned that this type of system operates identically to a central air conditioner in cooling mode. The unit pulls heat out of the home and transfers it outside by way of refrigerant. The benefit of a heat pump is that it can reverse the flow of refrigerant to provide heating. While a heat pump costs more to purchase and install than an air conditioner, it offers lower monthly bills. Plus, the heat pump can supplement the furnace. When the outside temperature cools off, we can use the heat pump to keep our home warm and minimize our expenses. The heat pump effectively handles comfort until conditions drop below freezing. At that point, the furnace automatically starts up and fulfills demand.