Most people are convinced that forced air heating and cooling systems are the best choice. Gas furnaces and central cooling that rely on ductwork are the most popular choice for temperature control. I did some research and decided I wanted something different. I had some experience with forced air systems. My parents had this type of heating and cooling unit while I was growing up. After checking out other options, I was unwilling to deal with the noise, maintenance and air quality concerns of a forced air furnace and central air conditioner. I read that most homes sacrifice about thirty percent of heated and cooled air to leaks in the duct system. Plus, any contaminants such as dust, bacteria or mold that accumulate within the ductwork can get spread throughout the house every time the HVAC system starts up. In the winter, when the furnace blasts hot air into the room, it tends to rise straight up to the ceiling. To avoid all of these concerns, I chose an electric heat pump to handle the year round temperature control. A heat pump combines both heating and cooling into a single unit. Rather than burn fossil fuels, the heat pump simply moves heat from one location to another. The process is extremely clean and maintains superior indoor air quality. During the summer, the heat pump is very good at combating humidity. During the winter, the heat hump won’t overly dry out the air. It’s also extremely energy efficient and helps to keep running costs low. In my opinion, the benefits of a heat pump make up for the higher purchase and installation costs.