Difference between a heat pump and a furnace

Are you a homeowner looking for an HVAC system that will serve you efficiently? Taking proper consideration on the perfect system saves you the losses and discomfort caused by an inefficient one.

Heat pump and furnace are two of the main ones you will encounter while looking for an HVAC system. Here are some of their differences to help you determine the most efficient one for your home.

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  Operation

The heat pump and the furnace will bring a healing effect to your home. However, they provide heat in different ways. A furnace burns fuel, either natural gas or oil, to generate heat, while a heat pump uses electricity and refrigerant to transfer heat. A heat pump absorbs heat from outside air, turns it into hot gas, and blows it to your home. Despite the difference in their modes of operation, both systems have a similar piping and duct system. These ducts supply the heat generated to the rooms using supply ducts, and return ducts bring cooler air back to the system for reheating.

•     Energy Source

A furnace gets its energy from a fuel source. The most common fuel used is natural gas which gets burnt in a combustion chamber to release heat energy. On the other hand, a heat pump relies on electricity as the source of energy. Heat pumps use electricity and refrigerant to transfer heat from the outdoors to the indoors. A furnace is ideal for you if you have natural gas lines in your home. A heat pump is a perfect system if not connected to any natural gas line.

•     Efficiency

Efficiency is a critical issue when it comes to an HVAC system. Therefore, you have to consider efficiency when choosing between a furnace and a heat pump. Despite the inefficiency experienced with old furnaces, new technology has improved furnace efficiency to 98 percent. From the fuel burnt in the combustion chamber, only 2 percent escapes with combustion fumes.

On the other hand, a heat pump can be 300 percent efficient since it relies on electricity to move heat. It only takes one unit to move three units of heat energy.

 

However, a heat pump’s efficiency is affected when temperatures fall below freezing. Therefore, it is necessary to accompany a heat pump system with a less efficient backup heat source such as dual fuel. It is vital to consult experienced professionals like a plumber in Cumming for advice on the most efficient and ideal system for you. 

•     Cost

Upon understanding the efficiency of the functionality of both the furnace and the heat pump, it’s time to compare the prices and determine the cost-effective system for your home. The cost is dependent on several factors such as initial installation cost, maintenance cost, and energy cost. A heat pump compared to a furnace is costly since it is a two-in-one system. You can use it for heating as well as cooling. However, a furnace requires a separate air conditioning system, increasing its initial cost. A furnace requires less maintenance and has a longer lifespan than a heat pump. When it comes to energy cost, it is dependent on the readily available source of energy in your area and its price. If electricity is cheaper than natural gas, a heat pump is ideal. On the contrary, a furnace is ideal if natural gas is more affordable.

 

•     Ideal Operating Climate Conditions

Both the heat pump and the furnace have their ideal operating climatic conditions. A heat pump system is suitable for mild climates. Most heat pump systems are air sources. They rely on outside air to supply heat to the indoors. When the temperatures outside fall below the freezing point, it will be inefficient since there will be little warm air to move inside.

 

On the other hand, a furnace is ideal for long and cold winter climates. However, ground-source will provide reliable heat in any climate, but it is an expensive system to install. The issue of cost efficiency makes a furnace the ideal system to use in long winter climates.

 

Which Is Better?

It is now time to decide which system serves you best. A heat pump is more efficient but will be a disadvantage when you live in an area that experiences a long winter climate. If you have access to affordable natural gas and live in long cold winter, a furnace will stand out as the best system. However, if you are looking to replace your air conditioner, choosing a heat pump to achieve this will make more sense.

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