re: AC Unit Question

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So is having a heat pump not need?

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Not if you have a separate heating source. The difference between a heat pump and an AC is that the heat pump has additional equipment and engineering that allow it to function in reverse and provide heat to the home as well as cooling it. In cooling mode however, it's functionally identical to a standard air conditioner. While heating, a heat pump will suffer from some performance issues in very low temperatures, though. Just like an AC has a limit to how cold it can make your house when it's very hot outside, a heat pump has a limit to how warm it can make your house when it's very cold outside. In addition, no electricity, no heat.

Natural gas heaters not only put out a better quality of heat, but when you REALLY need heat when the freak ice storm takes the electricity out and it's going to be in the 20s for days, natural gas is going to be there to keep your balls warm. That heat pump won't.

EDIT: I meant other gas heaters will be available, you pedantic motherfrickers. The furnace won't, as Bullfrog points out below.