If you live in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, you know how important it is to have an efficient, reliable heating system in your home. So, when it comes time for a heating system replacement, you will likely have questions about what type of heating system you should install.
Two of the best options for New England homes are heat pumps and furnaces. Today, we’re going to compare the pros and cons of heat pumps vs gas furnaces so you can decide whether a heat pump is better than a furnace for your home.
What’s the Difference Between a Heat Pump and a Furnace?
A furnace is a type of forced-air heating system that uses oil, propane, natural gas, or electricity to generate heat. A system of ducts is used to transport the heat from your furnace to the different rooms in your home.
A heat pump is a type of heating system that does not produce heat on its own. Instead, it uses a refrigerant that can transport heat from one place to another. Heat pumps run on electricity and can be either ducted or ductless.
The Pros and Cons of Heat Pump Heating vs Gas Heating
The most important factors to consider when researching new heating systems for your home, are efficiency, flexibility, lifespan, cost, safety, and rebates.
Energy Efficiency
When it comes to heat pump vs gas furnace efficiency, heat pumps usually come out on top. Modern cold-climate heat pumps are ultra-efficient and use less energy to heat your home than a standard furnace.
Flexibility
Furnances can only be used for heating and they must be connected to a ductwork system. This means you need to have a separate cooling system if you want AC in the summer. Heat pumps, on the other hand, have both heating and cooling settings so you can use them year-round and reduce the amount of HVAC equipment you need in your home. Heat pumps come in ducted and ductless models.
Lifespan
A regularly maintained heat pump has a lifespace of about 10-15 years. Furnaces typically last a little longer; you can expect a furnace to last 15-20 years with regular maintenance.
Cost
Heat pump vs gas furnace costs will play an important role in the decision making process for almost every homeowner. Heat pumps tend to be more expensive to install than furnaces, although prices can vary significantly depending on they model you choose. For an accurate heat pump or furnace installation quote, contact Kearney HVAC today!
It’s also important to think about operating costs when making your decision. So which is cheaper to run, a heat pump or a gas furnace? It depends largely on fuel costs in your area. If gas is more affordable than electricity where you live, it will likely be cheaper to run a gas furnace than an electric heat pump, as long as you install a high-efficiency model.
Safety
Because they utilize combustion heating, furnaces put your home at risk of carbon monoxide leaks. Heat pumps are safer to operate since they do not burn fuel.
Rebates
If you live in Massachusetts, you can save on heat pump and high-efficiency gas furnance installation with Mass Save® rebates. Mass Save offers heat pump rebates worth up to $10,000 and gas furnace rebates worth up to $2,750. As a certified Mass Save contractor, Kearney can help you qualify for heating rebates!
There are also incentives available for heat pump installation through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Heat pumps qualify for the Energy Efficiency Home Improvements tax credit, which is worth 30% of your installation costs with a $2,000 cap for heat pump installation. This credit will be available in 2023—schedule a free consultation with Kearney HVAC today to get the process started!
We Can Help You Choose the Best Heating System for Your Home
So what is better, a heat pump or a furnace? There are advantages and disadvantages to both and it ultimately comes down to your needs, preferences, and buget. Kearney HVAC can help you make the right decision for your home. We are a trusted HVAC contractor near you with many years of experience installing heating and cooling systems for Massachusetts and New Hampshire homeowners. We would be happy to provide a free consultation so you can compare the various heat pump and furnace options available, ask questions, and get help choosing the right heating system for your home.
