So you’ve heard about heat pumps and you’re wondering , “Would I be smarter to buy a heat pump than a furnace?” What’s the difference? How do they operate? Here is a quick explanation of heat pumps and how they differ from furnaces. From cost to overall performance to installation and repairs, evaluate the information before making a decision.
A heat pump functions as both a furnace and an air conditioner. It can both heat and cool your dwelling. It does this by removing heat that is found in the air (or ground, if it is a ground source heat pump) outside your residence and transferring it into your home. The major advantage is that it can do this much more affordably than a gas or oil furnace. So who wouldn’t install a heat pump for heating their house, you ask. It’s more efficient and it’s one piece of equipment vs. two.
Look a little further into the particulars and you’ll discover that a heat pump, while it does a fantastic job, is only effective for heating your home when the temperature is above 40 degrees Farenheit. So the concern really becomes where you live and the seasonal temperature ranges there. If you only own a heat pump and the temperature drops below 40 degrees, your heat pump will not be able to heat your home effectively and you will have to have a back-up source of heat. You will most likely be better off installing a furnace to be comfy during bitter cold weather. But if you live in a warmer climate, installing a heat pump will save you money over a furnace because energy bills are decreased with a heat pump.
That’s the simplest clarification as to the best choice for heating your home. Besides the seasonal weather, here a few more things to consider when evaluating heat pumps and furnaces.
- Purchase cost – heat pumps are normally more costly than furnaces, however if you have to buy an air conditioner as well as a furnace, the cost may make more economic sense.
- Lifespan – because a furnace is only used throughout half of the year, and a heat pump works year round, the heat pump won’t last as long as the furnace.
- Maintenance – repair charges may be larger too since it operates more continuously.
- Heat Pump or Furnace Installation – contractors may bill more to install a heat pump vs. a furnace.
