Electric Heat Pump in a Northern City Rowhome?

[Max T.]

Looking at a home for the family. It was just renovated and has brand new everything, including an electric heat pump with electric backup.

I am used to natural gas forced air furnaces. I understand that the electric heat pumps are not efficient at lower (winter) temperatures, which we have a lot of in Philadelphia winters.

Are the newer models as bad as some of what I've read online? How much of a jump am I looking at?

House is about 1500 ft sq. My wife likes to keep it at 67.