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Need a New Heating System? Consider a Heat Pump

If you’d like to replace your old furnace, don’t assume that a new furnace is the only option. This may be the default choice for most North American households, but heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular. Still, the question remains: Is a heat pump the right fit for everyone? Explore several compelling reasons to try a heat pump, how this equipment differs from a traditional furnace and whether a heat pump is the ideal choice for your home comfort needs.

How Is a Heat Pump Different from a Furnace?

The core design between a heat pump and a traditional furnace is essentially different. Furnaces burn combustible substances such as natural gas, oil or propane to generate heat. On the other hand, heat pumps use electricity and refrigerant to move heat. This fundamental difference influences the equipment’s efficiency, environmental impact and versatility.

Modern condensing furnaces feature high AFUE ratings, which is undoubtedly appealing. But this only relates to the furnace’s ability to convert fuel to heat—it doesn’t account for the full energy footprint involved in the process of extracting, refining and transporting the fuel.

By comparison, a heat pump’s efficiency is measured by its HSPF. While it’s not easy to compare these numbers at first glance, understand that heat pumps frequently offer stronger performance than furnaces.

Top Reasons to Install a Heat Pump

Here’s why more and more homeowners are exploring a heat pump for their year-round heating and cooling needs.

1. Lower Energy Bills

The operating cost is the first thing that comes to mind when contemplating a new home appliance. Furnaces can be highly effective, but they max out at approximately 98% efficiency. On the other hand, heat pumps are capable of moving three times the heat energy than the electrical energy consumed in the process. In other words, heat pumps can be 300% efficient under ideal operating conditions. This cost-effective performance leads to lower utility bills.

2. Eco-Friendly Heating

Your household’s environmental footprint could be much smaller with a heat pump. While electric furnaces can be found, traditional gas-fired furnaces run on natural gas or oil, the production and distribution of which negatively impacts the planet. A heat pump operates without burning fuel, shrinking your home’s environmental impact, particularly if you also have solar panels to produce cleaner electricity from the sun.

3. Heating and Cooling Dual Functionality

One of the most notable features of a heat pump is its versatility. It’s an effective wintertime heater and doubles as your air conditioner in the summer. Thanks to a straightforward built-in switch, the heat pump switches its operation and extracts warm air from your home, much like a standard AC unit. This dual-purpose solution appeals to many homeowners.

4. Quiet Operation

Heat pumps run less noisily than traditional furnaces as they don’t have to ignite fuel to generate heat. No combustion means reduced noise, resulting in a more peaceful living space.

5. Easy Transition

If your home has existing ductwork, transitioning to a heat pump is fast and easy. The air handler will end up where your furnace is currently located, and the outdoor unit replaces your air conditioner. It’s as simple as that.

Are Heat Pumps Right for Everyone?

While heat pumps are remarkable, they may not suit every situation. Heating efficiency drops in extreme cold, making heat pumps less effective in regions with long, cold winters. However, advancements in cold-climate technology are making heat pumps more viable in the far north, so be on the lookout for models designed to work in such settings.

It’s also worth pointing out that the initial cost of investing in a high-quality heat pump is often higher than a conventional furnace. However, it also means you won’t have to buy an air conditioner. If both systems are starting to show their age, you may actually save money up front by replacing them with a heat pump. Plus, you’ll recover any investment cost through lower energy bills over time.

If your home lacks the necessary ductwork, installing it adds to your up-front costs. But furnaces need ductwork too, so this doesn’t necessarily lean toward choosing a furnace over a heat pump. In fact, ductless heat pumps are available for older homes and additions where ductwork isn’t present.

Lastly, a heat pump’s efficiency benefits start to fall off if you live in an area with exceptionally high electricity costs. You can mitigate this by putting up solar panels, which generate electricity from the sun to power your heat pump and many other electrical systems.

Choose Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning

Still not sure if a heat pump is ideal for you? Consult Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and our professionals can help you decide if a heat pump matches your heating and cooling needs. Then, whether you opt for a heat pump or a traditional furnace, we can install your new system above and beyond your expectations. Contact us today to ask for a free installation estimate.

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