Should you Replace Your Furnace or Get a Heat Pump?
Heat pumps are well-suited for milder climates, while furnaces are better for colder parts of the country. Heat pumps, which run on electricity, both heat and cool homes, while furnaces only heat, making it necessary to have separate air conditioning equipment.
A third option, dual fuel systems, include both a furnace and a heat pump.
At Jansen Heating & Cooling, we offer all three solutions. One of our favorite suppliers is Carrier. We are proud to be a Cincinnati Carrier factory authorized dealer.
When deciding what system is right for your home, factors such as
- upfront and maintenance costs,
- safety,
- energy efficiency and
- installation complexity
should be considered.
Where you live matters
If you live where winters are mild, a heat pump might be a good option. Furnaces are often more efficient in areas with colder winters.
Most furnaces in the U.S. use natural gas for fuel, but in areas where it is not easily accessible, oil, propane and electricity are used. Choosing a heating system appropriate for your climate, will result in better home comfort, and probably lower heating bills.
Some climates allow for a furnace to be installed with a heat pump. This is known as a dual-fuel system, and it can offer greater savings. One example would be to pair a gas heater with an air-source heat pump. With two heat sources, the system will gauge the outdoor temperature to determine the most efficient option to heat your home.
Energy efficiency
Heat pumps, highly efficient, can move more energy than required for operation. A high-efficiency furnace that runs on natural gas can operate at as high as 98.5% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE).
But there’s more to the story. In warmer climates, electric heat pumps usually use less energy than furnaces fueled with gas. But in colder parts of the world, gas furnaces with 95% efficiency rate better than heat pumps labelled ENERGY STAR®.
Safety
Gas furnaces theoretically carry a higher risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and explosions than heat pumps. But safety features such as pressure regulators and automatic shut-off valves make explosions extremely rare. Electric heat pumps have automatic shut-off switches and detectors to alert homeowners to refrigerant leaks.
It is critical to have a reputable HVAC company inspect whichever system you use annually to make sure it is operating safely and efficiently.
Costs
Typically, the purchase price for a high-efficiency gas furnace will be lower, but when you take installation costs into account, it can be more expensive than a heat pump; furnaces need gas lines and ventilation systems, which heat pumps do not. The gas to run your furnace will be cheaper than the electricity needed to run a heat pump, but the lifetime operating costs of a furnace may be higher, due to maintenance and repairs.
Maintenance
Heat pumps and furnaces will both serve you longer, more cost-efficiently, with regular professional preventive maintenance. Both systems use air filters you can probably replace yourself.
Most residential heat pump configurations have both an outdoor and an indoor unit; each should be cleaned and inspected every year. With a gas furnace—that usually is paired with an outdoor central AC unit—both parts of the system should be checked by a professional HVAC technician annually as well.
Lifespan
The longevity of heat pumps and furnaces depends on
- usage patterns,
- the size of the system,
- installation quality,
- thermostat settings and
- environmental conditions.
Space requirements
Furnaces usually need at least 30 inches of clearance all around the unit, and are installed indoors. A heat pump requires just 24 inches, and is installed outdoors. However, a traditional air-source heat pump system also requires an indoor air handler unit (fan coil). A qualified HVAC system installer like Jansen can help ensure your system uses space efficiently.