Heat pumps and furnaces are a popular choice, and both types can effectively heat your home. Comparing the annual fuel utilization efficiency, or AFUE of heating systems provide a comparison of the unit’s heating efficiency.  

Fuel and Power Source

Furnace options include natural gas, propane, fuel oil, or the electric furnace. The heat pump also operates on electricity, and if you live in a rural area lacking natural gas a heat pump or electric furnace is likely to be your best choice. While propane is an option in rural locations, most homeowner’s find the high cost prohibitive. Heat pumps offer both heating and air conditioning, and are an efficient choice, especially when you choose an Energy Star heating and air conditioning system. 

While heat pumps and electric furnaces both use electricity to produce heat, they produce it in very different ways. The heat pump is by far superior to an electric furnace in terms of energy efficiency. In addition, there are a variety of heat pump types, enabling you to select a heat pump right for your budget, home and lifestyle. 

Air source heat pumps are the conventional heat pumps you are most likely familiar with, and are far more efficient than in the past. Mini-split heat pumps offer an energy efficient alternative to those who do not want to pay extra for using the heating and air conditioning system on unused rooms. Finally, there is the geothermal heat pump, which offers the highest efficiency, and the longest lifespan among all heating and air conditioning options. While it is true a geothermal system carries a higher initial cost, the high energy efficiency of the unit can pay for itself in as little as 3 to 5 years, and can last for decades. However, the best selection is based on your home, location, climate, and budget.

Outside Climate

One reason a furnace is a great choice is because will work well regardless of the outside temperature. This is true of both gas or electric furnaces. Heat pumps, on the other hand do have their limitations, though not as severely as even a few years past. With the exception of the geothermal unit, heat pumps lose some efficiency in extreme cold.  

Heat pumps use a reversing value to produce AC in the summer, and heat in the winter. Many modern heat pumps use a new and entirely different environmentally friendly refrigerant that is more tolerant of extreme cold, producing heat with 80% efficiency even at near 0 degrees. The geothermal heat pump is the exception in heat pump technology. It utilizes the fairly stable ground temperature to dump heat in the summer, and draw heat in the winter. Temperature variations have no effect on the geothermal unit. The heat pump offers an effective and efficient choice in almost all areas of the southern U.S.

Safety and Environment

Both furnaces and heat pumps provide safe operation with proper installation and routine maintenance. However, heat pumps operate on electricity and not fossil fuels. This means they do not produce carbon monoxide gases and pose no threat at all from fuel combustion. All homes using any gas appliances should be equipped with functional carbon monoxide detectors to ensure your safety.

Selecting the home heating system right for your home will require the trained consideration of an HVAC technician for your home’s unique aspects, such as window type, insulating quality and directional facing, for example. Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning can assist you in making an informed choice between a furnace vs. heat pump. 

Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning NATE certified professionals offer expertise for reliable heat pump or furnace installation. Contact us for your heating and air conditioning needs, including installation, or repair. We serve Katy, Plano, and the surrounding areas with service that meets and/or exceeds the industry standards for services you can rely on. Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning is a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.