Heat Pump vs. Furnace FAQs

Furnaces burn fuel to generate heat and circulate it through your home. They are usually powered by gas, oil, propane, or electricity and contain four main components: a burner that delivers and burns the fuel, heat exchangers, a blower, and a flue that acts as an exhaust for gaseous by-products. To cool your home, you will need a separate air conditioning system or mini split ductless air conditioning.

Heat pumps combine both heating and cooling functions into a single, energy-efficient unit. Powered by electricity, heat pumps extract heat from the outdoor air or ground and distribute it into your home during the winter, and they pull the heat out of the air inside your home in the summer, and transfer it outside.

The main difference is that a heat pump can both heat and cool your home, while a furnace can only provide heat. However, there are many additional variables to consider.

Reliability: Furnaces heat your home regardless of the exterior temperature, unlike a heat pump, which must draw heat in from another source. If the outside air temperature falls below freezing, a heat pump may have difficulty generating enough heat to keep your home warm unless it is a multistage or variable stage inverter and fitted with supplemental heat sources.

Cost: Furnaces are typically less expensive to install than heat pumps, excluding any necessary ductwork. However, your home’s compatibility and current HVAC setup are also important considerations, as are local fuel prices and availability.

Comfort: In general, the air from a heat pump isn’t as hot as the air from a furnace. It’s still warming your home, but it blows a bit cooler. On the other hand, heat pumps circulate naturally humid air, so they may not dry out your skin as much as the hot, dry air of a furnace.

Maintenance: Because the heating elements of a furnace are only used for a few months each year, a furnace typically requires less maintenance than a heat pump. Furnaces also have fewer mechanical parts than heat pumps, so they are less likely to break down or malfunction.

Lifespan: Furnaces generally have a longer lifespan than heat pumps. Furnaces with proper maintenance can last 20 years or more, while a heat pump, like an air conditioner, more commonly has a maximum lifespan of 15 years.

Energy Efficiency: Heat pumps rely on electricity to move heat instead of generating heat internally, so they tend to be more energy efficient than traditional furnaces and air conditioners. Multistage and variable stage inverter units are typically the most efficient, as they can regulate the level of heating and cooling as needed.

Safety & Environmental Impact: Heat pumps are more environmentally friendly than furnaces because they do not burn fossil fuels in order to function. Heat pumps also don’t require combustion, so they don’t pose the same risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and gas leaks as furnaces.

Heat pumps are typically more energy-efficient and versatile since they provide both heating and cooling functions; however, furnaces tend to be more effective and reliable in colder climates. Ultimately, the best choice depends on the average winter temperature in your area, fuel costs and availability, the specifics of your home, and your individual needs and preferences.

If you’re still unsure whether a heat pump or furnace is right for you, contact the professionals at A/C Masters. We’re familiar with the climate in Hampton Roads, VA, as well as fuel costs and availability, and we will thoroughly inspect your home’s size, layout, ductwork, and insulation to help you determine the best choice for your home. To schedule a free HVAC consultation in Yorktown, Newport News, Hampton Williamsburg, Gloucester, or anywhere in Hampton Roads, call us or contact us online.