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Go with whatever energy source is most economical to purchase.
Some of the heat pump systems that I have read about have more going on than meets the eye. Ground source heat pumps are an attractive option and the ground never runs out of heat during low ambient conditions. You may still reach a balance point where the heat produced by the heat pump equals the load when there is a cold snap sent special delivery from Canada. That is when the resistance heaters contribute to the heat supplied.
Another neat feature is using the heat pump as a preheater for domestic water. Piped in series with the water heater raising the final temperature of domestic hot to supply to the faucets. Edit: this works during the cooling cycle.
Pricey to have a well drilled in some areas depending on soil type and initial cost may have a long payback period.
I like the idea of the variable refrigerant flow systems and the mini split manufacturers have got this pretty much nailed down. No reason that it cannot be applied to the split system/heat pump market too.
You might want to look into the possibility of installing an ERV on the system when it is changed out.
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Bill K.
"I started out with nothin and I still got most of it left...."
83 911 SC Guards Red (now gone)
And I sold a bunch of parts I hadn't installed yet.
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