My house was built around 1998. I have the same split system heating/air conditioner with propane heat and water heater.

My system works fine. I actually prefer a propane water heater with a family of four because it can keep up better and still works during a power outage. (I live in the country)

I am wanting to reduce as much as possible utility costs. I was debating installing a more efficient unit myself.

I would really like a geothermal. I have the land for the lines and have available a trencher to bury the lines, but the units are expensive and difficult to purchase myself. There is no way to afford having a contractor do it.

Would I really save that much upgrading from a 1998 unit to a more modern unit? My house is 1500 square feel downstairs. I have a 50×10 feet bonus room upstairs with a small heat pump that is about 5 years old.

My house has 2×4 walls, filled with r-13. Ceiling is insulated. I live in zone 4 southern ky. Summers get humid and hot.

My roof is black shingles and is a steep roof. (The kind you typically see with dormers but I don’t have any). I am assuming I gain a lot of heat through the roof. (Which has had me thinking about if a sheet of radiant barrier between the roof trusses would be a good idea).

Anyway I am getting some tax return money coming back and looking for ways to lower my energy bills.

Oh by the way my house is vinyl sided with osb walls.

Thanks!