A heat pump is an energy-efficient heating and cooling system that operates similarly to air conditioners in the warmer months by removing warm air from indoor spaces and transferring them outdoors through a compressor. In the colder months they extract warmth from the outdoors to provide heating for homes.
While a heat pump uses electricity, gas furnaces use natural gas to generate heat which is then distributed throughout ducts and vents throughout the home. But can a heat pump keep you as comfortable as a furnace?
Do Heat Pumps Work as Well as a Furnace?
Heat pump technology has come a long way and no longer struggles to heat homes once the temperature goes below freezing. Modern, efficient heat pumps can work in temperatures as low as 0 degrees. In fact, heat pumps designed after 2015 function normally even at -13 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, in regions of extreme low temps (such as Minnesota or Alaska), it might be worth investing in a dual-heating system.
Will My House Be as Warm with a Heat Pump?
While technically a gas furnace does produce more heat than heat pumps, this isn’t always good or necessary. A system that produces more heat than you need is not only uncomfortable… it’s a waste of money. The hot air a gas furnace produces isn’t useful in areas with more moderate winters.
Should I Switch from a Furnace to a Heat Pump?
The choice between a heat pump or a furnace ultimately comes down to your specific needs. Homeowners in colder climates may already be on a natural gas line and it may just be presently simpler to stick with a furnace. Especially if you experience below-freezing temperatures often in your area, such as northern New York.
However, if you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective option, a heat pump can be a great long-term investment if you’re looking to upgrade your system. You can save nearly $1,000 a year compared to oil heating options.
Are Heat Pumps More Efficient Than a Furnace?
Natural gas is often less expensive than electricity in some places, which makes the furnace more cost-effective in places with frequent freezing temperatures. Gas furnaces aren’t always more efficient. Otherwise, heat pumps will be more efficient and cost saving, especially in places with milder temperatures that rarely see below freezing temps during the winter.
What Does Heat from a Heat Pump Feel Like?
As compared to baseboard heaters or radiators, heat pumps are better at circulating warmth throughout a room. So, you never have to worry about finding yourself in a cold spot.
Do Heat Pumps Take a While to Warm Up?
A heat pump will work best and most efficiently by being left at or around the temperature you intend to keep. Meaning it will have to work less hard to maintain a temperature it was already set to as compared to shifting your home’s internal temperature by 10 degrees.
Tragar Home Services Are Your Local Heat Pump Experts
This winter, trust Tragar Home Services to handle your home heating needs and keep your home comfortably warm. Our highly trained professionals can perform all necessary maintenance and repairs to prepare your home for winter, and even work with you on installing a new system if needed. Contact us today and enjoy some piece of mind for you and your family this winter.
