Furnace verses heat pump: what's the difference?

Have you ever heard terms like “heat pump” and “furnace” getting thrown around? Do they kind of sound like the same ideas to you? After all, both systems warm your house—how different could they be?

As it turns out, there are significant differences between the two, and you need to have them straight if you’re going to make a sensible decision for your Knightdale, North Carolina home! 

What is a furnace?

Furnaces are usually what most people think of—even in many parts of the South—when they think of winter heat. Furnaces burn traditional fuels like oil and natural gas to generate heat. They can also use electricity to directly generate heat (think of an electric oven). 

Furnaces then blow that warm air through ducts throughout your home. Their efficiency is measured with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating, which essentially measures how much energy is lost in the heating process. Pretty straightforward!

What is a heat pump?

The heat pump is where things get a little more complicated. Heat pumps do not burn fuel to generate heat. Instead, you can think of them (to simplify the incredibly complicated processes that actually go on during the process of heat pumping) as reverse air conditioners.

Through the use of refrigerant and electricity, heat pumps extract heat from the outside air and transfer it indoors. Did you know that there’s even “heat” in cold air? Of course, that process works best when temperatures aren’t too cold.

What is a dual fuel system?

It is sometimes possible to install both a furnace and a heat pump, which lets your system decide which heating method will be most efficient. However, the upfront cost of a dual fuel system only makes sense in specific climates.

What is the best option for me?

Next week, we’ll talk about some considerations in picking a heat pump vs a furnace as your heat source. In the meantime, our techs at All Hours are always standing by in Knightdale, North Carolina, to give you all the information you need to make the best decisions for you and your family. Give us a call, and we can help you decide what heat source will keep you warm for the best price this winter!