Diane,

Who is your electric supplier? Do they offer off-peak-rates? I checked CMP and they offer considerable discounts.

Radiant in floor heat is the best way to go as far as comfort is concerned...Mini splits in heat mode cause me to shiver.

You could explore electric resistance heat, off-peak, as your BTU source.

Please excuse me, but after a cursory review of this topic, I do not know the details of your home well enough to know what kind of heat system you currently have and what systems you could actually use, economically. But, I saw that you are intolerant of heat, so I think that you would make comfort a priority. Why else would you be going to Florida in the winter:}

Nooboo
We currently have only a wood stove in the living room and pellet stove in the basement. We don't live here in the winter but have been here until late November. The two stoves will heat the home. it is only 1400 sf and very well insulated . We need a central heating system when we make this our main residence. We still plan to go to Florida some winters so need a system that will not be damaged by freezing temperatures if the power goes out for a prolonged period, which can happen here in the mountains of Maine.

Radient floor heat is not an option for us. The floors are too thick (3/4" hickory)!with wood tile and old flooring under that to make it not feasible.

I will check out off peak rates for CMP. Thanks for the input

Diane

As long as it helps you feel less overwhelmed...Forgive me, but can I go into Guy mode?

Lets say you went off peak and assume that Off peak heating needs thermal storage.

A simple off peak thermal store of 600 gallon of water, with an expected 40 delta T, will be able to store nearly 200,000 BTUs. Storing this heat and having it radiate into the home when you are not on the off peak rate is the key here.

200,000/12=16,000 BTUs per hour which is, what did you say your heat loss is? So, before you go on off peak, you may have the room cooling down a bit.

The tanks will be covered like 'sofas' and radiate the stored heat when off and will get warmer when the price of energy is low.

Use six 100 gallon tanks, at the perimeter of the room, with 1500 watt immersion heaters at 5100 BTUs each.

Six 105 Gallon Rectangle Poly Tanks 105 Gallons 39"L x 26"W x 26"H $478.99 ($78.99*6=$2868)

Six 1500 watt heaters will put out 30,300 BTU (1500 watt = 5100 BTUs).

Six 1500 Watt Screw-In Water Heater Elements cost $10 ($10*6= $60)

Control each immersion heater with a Digital LCD Thermostat Temperature Regulator Controller with sensor, and also one for the room...($12*12=$144) wired in series so that when the room calls for heat and the tank is under it's setpoint, and you are 'Off-Peak rates', it turns on.




Six digital timers (with memory when the power is out, $7.50*6=.$45)

Have a wifi thermostat that you can look at on the web and PAY someone on a retainer whom you can count on to come over when you call and start a generator with just one or two of the heaters going. How big did you say your gens are? How about a 2000 watt Yamaha? W/O the gen and wiring 2868+144+60+$45=$3117. I have no idea how you would wire the heaters so that they have their own circuits, but maybe with a 'Wiremold Track'.

Off-peak electric- cheaper than propane...But only 1 COP...Radiant is more comfortable than forced air...

Diane, you mentioned temps as low as -15. As I mentioned before typically geo is freeze protected down to 15 generally. Much lower with glycol and it'd be like pumping molasses.
Perhaps -15 is a blue moon (every once in a while) temp vs a design temp.
I am not aware of any airsource heat pump equipment that qualifies for an uncapped 30% tax credit (unless it is combined with solar thermal).