If you'd like to replace your old furnace, don’t move forward thinking a new furnace is your only choice. This may be the default choice for most North American households, but heat pumps are steadily growing in popularity. Still, the question remains: Is a heat pump the right fit for everyone? Explore several convincing reasons to try a heat pump, how this equipment differs from a traditional furnace and whether a heat pump is the most efficient choice for your home comfort needs.
How Is a Heat Pump Different from a Furnace?
The underlying technology between a heat pump and a traditional furnace is essentially different. Furnaces burn fuel—including natural gas, oil or propane to generate heat. On the other hand, heat pumps use electricity and refrigerant to move heat. This key difference influences the equipment’s efficiency, environmental impact and versatility.
Modern condensing furnaces boast high annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings, which is certainly appealing. But this only illustrates the furnace’s ability to convert fuel to heat—it can't account for the entire energy footprint involved in extracting, refining and transporting the fuel.
By comparison, a heat pump’s efficiency is measured by its heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF). While it’s not easy to compare these numbers at first glance, know that heat pumps often perform better than furnaces.
Top Reasons to Install a Heat Pump
Here’s why more and more homeowners are looking into a heat pump for their year-round heating and cooling needs.
1. Lower Energy Bills
The operating cost is one of the first things homeowners worry about when contemplating a new home appliance. Furnaces can be highly effective, but they max out at about 98% efficiency. On the other hand, heat pumps are capable of generating three times the heat energy than the electrical energy consumed in the process. In other words, heat pumps can be three times as efficient under ideal operating conditions. This budget-friendly performance leads to more manageable utility bills.
2. Eco-Friendly Heating
Your household’s environmental footprint could be more modest with a heat pump. While electric furnaces exist, traditional gas-fired furnaces run on natural gas or oil, the production and distribution of which harms the planet. A heat pump operates without burning fuel, reducing your home’s environmental impact, especially if you also have solar panels to generate cleaner electricity from the sun.
3. Heating and Cooling Versatility
One of the most impressive features of a heat pump is its versatility. It’s an effective wintertime heater and doubles as your air conditioner during the summer. Thanks to a simple built-in switch, the heat pump switches its operation and pulls out warm air from your home, similar to a standard AC unit. This two-in-one solution appeals to many homeowners.
4. Quiet Operation
Heat pumps run with less noise than traditional furnaces because they don’t have to combust fuel to generate heat. No combustion means reduced noise, resulting in a quieter living space.
5. Easy Transition
If your home already has ductwork, transitioning to a heat pump is fast and easy. The air handler goes where your furnace is currently located, and the outdoor unit replaces your air conditioner. It’s as simple as that.
Are Heat Pumps Right for Everyone?
While heat pumps are remarkable, they may not be suitable for every situation. Heating efficiency drops in extreme cold, making heat pumps less effective in regions with colder winters. That being said, advancements in cold-climate technology are making heat pumps more consistently effective in the far north, so stay alert for models designed to work in such settings.
It’s also worth pointing out that the initial cost of purchasing a high-quality heat pump is frequently higher than a conventional furnace. However, it means you don't have to purchase an air conditioner. If both systems are starting to show their age, you may actually save money up front by swapping them with a heat pump. Plus, you’ll recoup any investment cost through lower energy bills over time.
If your home lacks the necessary ductwork, adding it increases your up-front costs. But furnaces need ductwork too, so this doesn’t necessarily prefer choosing a furnace over a heat pump. In fact, ductless heat pumps are available for older homes and additions where ductwork isn’t present.
Lastly, a heat pump’s efficiency benefits start to fall off if you live in an area with exceptionally high electricity costs. You can counteract this by putting up solar panels, which generate electricity from the sun to power your heat pump, light bulbs, electronics and more.
Choose Service Experts
Still not sure if a heat pump is right for you? Consult Service Experts, and our Experts can help you figure out if a heat pump suits your heating and cooling needs. Then, whether you opt for a heat pump or a traditional furnace, we can set up your new system above and beyond your expectations. Contact us today to request a free installation estimate.
