[Tell It Right]

IMHO this makes a good argument for cooling and heating with mini splits. During the summer if a certain zone has a lot of heat that zone's AC will run more than a zone will less heat.

I wanted mini splits for my home but couldn't because too much of my downstairs is in the ground (no place for condensate drip to run down to). So I went with a variable-speed heat pump, which is hands down better than the standard AC and heat I used to have. I now also have heat strips for the times it gets too cold outside for the heat pump (yes that happens even in Alabama LOL). If you don't have solar I'd suggest a gas furnace for the cold weather. But the variable speed heat pump for heating and cooling in all but the extreme cold seems to do well at saving me money.

[Myrddin]

When I purchased my current home (1984 build) in Idaho, it had a heat pump. It was completely inadequate for a 3900 sq ft home (3 floors). I replaced the furnace with a 95% efficient natural gas forced-air furnace and new air conditioning evaporator/condenser. It is much more efficient, yet still struggles putting the basement at 65 degrees with the top floor at 80 degrees. Winter temperatures range from -21F to +35F. Summer temperatures range from 55F to 103F. Some days straddle my preferred 77F enough to need heater and air conditioning in the same 24 hour period. Spring and Fall have the most moderate temperatures. Some days neither heating nor cooling is necessary.