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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We have this situation -- regular gas furnace downstairs, heat pump upstairs.  I won't lie to you -- when it gets super cold, the heat pump can't keep up and it switches to regular electric heat, which is very expensive.

I would do all the insulating and energy planning you can for the addition.  You will find that adjusting the downstairs can help the upstairs, since heat rises.  Also pay attention to thermostat location -- ours is in the hall at the top of the stairs, so it registers the heat rising from downstairs and thinks it's warm enough, but meanwhile our bedrooms are cold.

If I had it to do again, I would hire an energy consultant to help plan the addition.[/quote]

+1 on all of this.  Heat pumps do not work well in cold weather.  No it doesn't get that cold here that often, but when it does...that's when you want the heat to be working and not costing a fortune.  We have a heat pump for our upstairs and gas for downstairs.  Gas is a lot cheaper.

Don't put your thermostat in the hallway for the reason PP said.  We have the same problem.[/quote]

Thermostat is in our bedroom but it still isn't as warm as I like on these frigid days.

On another vote -- my HVAC tech friend doesn't agree, but I do think the heat pump coupled with the newer building materials is a recipe for disaster. I mean, wouldn't it make sense that the original part of the house, which is brick and plaster, holds in heat better than drywall and siding? 
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