Heat Pumps vs Gas Furnaces: Which Is Better?

Should you get a heat pump or a furnace? To help you decide, Dependable Heating & Air Conditioning, one of the top HVAC repair companies in the state, elaborates on the advantages of each option below.

What Are the Advantages of Installing a Gas Furnace?

It can handle extreme temperatures better – Gas furnaces produce heat, so they’re not reliant on outside temperatures.

Cheaper installation costs – Generally, installing a gas furnace costs less than installing a heat pump.

Longer lifespan – A heat pump has a lifespan of 10-15 years, while gas furnaces can last 20-30 years, provided they’re routinely maintained. Plus, heat pumps double as air conditioners, so they’re more susceptible to wear and tear.

Should You Install a Gas Furnace?

A gas furnace would be a smart investment if you live in the central or northern regions of the country. If, however, you live in a coastal city or another area with a temperate climate, HVAC replacement contractors recommend you install a heat pump instead.

What is a Heat Pump? 

In layman’s terms, a heat pump is an air conditioner that can heat your home. It removes heat from the air outside and transfers it into your home.

What Are Its Advantages?

Energy efficient – Transferring heat requires less energy than producing it, so a heat pump requires less energy.

More environmentally friendly – Since heat pumps don’t use combustion to heat your home, they don’t produce greenhouse gases or other noxious fumes.

Better indoor comfort – The air that comes from heat pumps is naturally humid, so it won’t dry out your skin.

Multi-purpose functions – A heat pump heats your home in winter and cools it in the summer.