Furnace vs heat pump: what's best for you?

Last week, we discussed the differences between heat pumps and furnaces. Heat pumps are reverse air conditioners—they suck heat out of the air and pump it into your home. Furnaces are timeless classics—they burn a traditional fuel like oil or gas to generate heat and blow it throughout your house.

But what does this mean for you? Which system will do a better job heating your home on cold nights? If you go much further north from Clayton, North Carolina, the heat pump won’t work quite as efficiently as a hot new furnace, and there won’t be enough heat to pull out of the cold air. (Sounds oxymoronic, right)? But if you go much further south from Clayton, the heat pump will often outperform the caveman technology of the furnace. 

So what are some things to consider as you make your choice between the two systems?

Compatibility with current systems

Probably the biggest factor in deciding what heat source is best for your home is what system you have already. Do you have access to natural gas in your home? If so, a furnace can be tossed in a basement or wherever else it fits inside your house and burn that relatively cheap fuel all winter. 

On the other hand, maybe your house is well wired to swap in a heat pump (which can heat and cool) in place of a traditional central AC unit.

In some cases, it’s possible to use BOTH a heat pump and furnace in a dual-fuel system that can get you the best of both worlds.

An experienced tech can help you understand the compatibility with your home so you can make the best choice in the short and long runs for your home and family.

Cost to install

This point is heavily related to the point above on compatibility. They could almost be one combined section. But we’ll spell it out here: the installation price for each type of unit will be largely determined by your home's current setup. Sometimes a furnace will cost less. Sometimes a heat pump will win out. It completely depends on your house, and an experienced technician can explain the factors affecting installation prices.

Lifespan

Heat pumps and furnaces can both benefit from regular maintenance and cleanings to help them maximize their lifespans. However, furnaces, as a general rule, tend to live longer than heat pumps. Nothing in life is certain, but a general expectation is that you’ll receive about 20 years out of a properly maintained furnace. Likewise, you can generally expect 15 years out of a properly maintained heat pump.

What is the best option for me?

Our Clayton-based HVAC techs are always standing by to help you make the best decisions for you and your family. Save money by calling experienced experts who can help you figure out how to stay warm for the best value!

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