I’ve run into this decision a few times, and honestly, it’s never a one-size-fits-all answer. For my last flip, I went with a heat pump because the insulation was solid and the rebates made it make sense. But in older homes with drafty spots or if gas is already there, sometimes sticking with gas just works out better cost-wise. The upfront on all-electric can sting unless you’re planning to stay put for a while. It’s always a bit of a balancing act—energy costs, install price, and what buyers in the area actually want.
I hear you on the “no one right answer” thing—every house throws a curveball. One thing I’ve run into: sometimes people forget to factor in ductwork condition. You can have a killer new heat pump, but if the ducts leak like crazy (which is common in older homes), you’re just bleeding money and comfort. Did you do any blower door or duct leakage testing on your flip? That’s made a difference for me, especially when weighing whether to go high-efficiency or stick with what’s there. Curious how you handled that part.
Ductwork’s a huge blind spot for most people, honestly. I’ve walked into flips where the system’s brand new, but the vents are dumping air into the crawl space... total waste. Did you end up replacing any ducts, or just seal what was there? I always wonder if it’s worth ripping out the old stuff or just patching, especially when budgets are tight.
I’ve wrestled with this exact dilemma in my 1920s place. The ductwork was a patchwork of eras—some original, some from the 70s, and a few questionable DIY “updates.” I wanted to preserve as much as possible, but honestly, some of it was beyond hope. I ended up doing a hybrid: kept the solid, accessible runs (after a deep clean and mastic sealing), but ripped out the worst sections, especially those leaking into the walls or crawlspace.
It’s tempting to just seal and move on, but old ducts can be loaded with dust, mold, or even asbestos tape in some cases. If you’re on a tight budget, prioritize the worst offenders—anything that’s crushed, rusted through, or disconnected. For the rest, a good cleaning and sealing can buy you years. It’s not glamorous work, but it made a huge difference in comfort and energy bills here. Sometimes, the old stuff surprises you with how sturdy it is... other times, it’s just time to let it go.
That’s pretty much the route I took, too—some of the old ductwork in my 1950s house was solid, but other bits were just a mess. It’s wild how much a deep clean and some mastic can do for airflow, right? I did have to deal with some ancient insulation that looked pretty sketchy... ended up calling in a pro just in case it was asbestos.
Curious—did you notice any difference in air quality after you tackled yours? I swear ours felt less musty, but maybe that’s just wishful thinking. Also, did you insulate your new sections or just leave them bare? I’m debating if it’s worth the hassle for the runs in the crawlspace.