Heat Pump vs Gas/Electric Furnace [Real Comparison and Difference]

When it comes to warming your home you would get multiple options. And unless you’re a seasoned pro (not likely) knowing how to choose between a heat pump or a furnace can feel amazing. Not to suffer, here’s what you need to know to make the right choice.

First, understand What is a Heat Pump?

Heat pumps are not a new product at all everybody knows about it. The basic principle of a heat pump is it eliminates heat from the air and removes it either internally or externally from your home. The unit’s compressor pumps the refrigerant within a pair of heat change coils. The first coil causes the refrigerant to steam and absorb heat. While on-route to the second coil, the refrigerant condenses. In arrival, it condenses at high pressure, releasing any heat absorbed.

If that sounds like the inverse of what refrigerators and air conditioners do, you’re correct. But this type of heat pump can also work the reverse function, turning warm air into cool air. The switch happens via the unit’s reversing device.

Some important Advantages of Heat Pumps

• Heat pumps are much more reliable than systems that are based on combustion.
• They are more affordable to run as compared to oil and gas boilers.
• The system decreases your carbon emissions, and it has an effective conversion rate of power to heat.
• Less maintenance than fire heating systems.
• It can provide cooling throughout the summer, finally making it an air conditioner.
• They have a very long lifespan of up to 50 years. As a result of which, they are an extremely strong and constant source of heat.
• You may be qualified for payment under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.

Some important Disadvantages of Heat Pumps

• Heat pump systems possess a huge start-up cost.
• They are somewhat difficult to install, particularly as research must be undertaken in order to understand the movement of heat, local geology, as well as the heating and cooling requirements for your household.
• Some of the solutions used for heat transfer are of incredible sustainability, and they raise environmental matters. Hence it is recommended to use biodegradable fluids.
• The connection method will mean significant work and confusion to your house and garden. Work will have to be done on the actual building, including penetration of the walls.
• Some heat pumps encounter trouble in cold areas which can damage the system. Therefore, full efficiency during the cold seasons cannot be reached. However, there are chances of an upgraded heat pump system that could overcome this problem.
• Electricity is required to run the heat pumps, which requires that they will never be entirely carbon neutral.
• Special preparation permissions are needed in Wales and Northern Ireland, whilst in England and Scotland, it depends on your area and size of your property.

Now, What is furnace?

Furnaces basically is a device that generates warm air and then distributes it throughout your home by burning fuel. Because furnaces use fuel to produce heat, they blow much more heated air compared to heat pumps. There are four main elements to a furnace: burners, heat exchangers, a blower, and a flue that acts as the exhaust. Furnaces can run on natural gas or also on oil, and depending on where you live, there is also a  hybrid option available that can use both.

A forced-air furnace is a warming system that burns either gas, fuel oil, or propane for heat. Using return pipes, it takes air from inside your home, heats it, then gives the warm air back into your home via supply tubes.

Furnaces have many advantages over other home heating methods. Below are some of the main benefits and advantages of forced air furnaces.

Some Important advantages of Furnace:

• Provide Excellent Indoor Air Quality. One thing that makes furnaces systems preferable to other heating systems is that you can well condition the air.
• Provide Energy Efficiency. Natural gas, which services the majority of forced air furnaces, is a historically affordable fuel source.
• Electric and hydronic heating systems can take a long time to heat up your home. 
• Forced air furnaces can have a high first cost, but repair, maintenance, and replacement costs are a lot cheaper than other heating methods.
• Furnaces don’t break down as often as heat pumps or electric heating systems. 
• Forced air furnaces work with primary air conditioners to provide year-round comfort.
• It is obvious why someone might be afraid of the furnace’s combustion process.

Some important disadvantages of Furnace:

• The heat that’s created through a furnace possibly be dry out the air in your entire home, which can cause some times skin and other health issues. 
• While today’s furnaces are much more energy-efficient compared to a decade ago, they still don’t compare to the efficiency of a heat pump within some factors. 
• Homes with a furnace also need a separate unit for air conditioning, while heat pumps perform as a two-in-one at a time. 

A little Comparision of HEAT PUMP VS FURNACE.

COLD WEATHER EFFECTIVENESS

A gas furnace burns fuel so it can produce heat on the coolest days. If the outside air temperature routinely drops below freezing, a heat pump may have a hard time producing enough heat to keep your home warm. Supplemental systems are ready to work in tandem with your heat pump and kick in on the coldest days. Sadly, these methods use a lot of energy – canceling out the energy-efficient benefits if used too often.

AIR QUALITY

Because heat pumps don’t use combustion, they don’t give any harmful greenhouse gas emissions. This is shifting more and more important and some populations are even instituting local regulations insisting on lower-emission heat sources. Recent improvements have made many furnace models more energy efficient and lower their impact on the environment.

INSTALLATION EXPENSE

Usually, the first cost and installation of a gas furnace are cheaper than a heat pump. However, if your home requires cooling, a furnace will need to be met with an air conditioner. A heat pump can do both at once. Collectively, your home luxury costs may be less with a heat pump. Of course, unit costs will vary depending on the size and model chosen for both. 

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

On comparing Heat pumps are more energy-efficient than furnaces because transferring heat is easier than creating it. Under perfect conditions, a heat pump can transfer 300% more energy than it consumes. In contrast, a high-efficiency gas furnace is about 90% effective. Heat pumps are powered by electricity, so you can save considerably on fuel consumption. It’s over 100% efficient in temperate environments and can serve as both a heater and an air conditioner.

COMFORT

The energy produced by gas furnaces feels hot and toasty as compared to the heat pump. generally, we can say that the air from a heat pump isn’t as warm as what you get from a gas furnace. It’s still warming your home, but it “blows cooler.” Some people do not like that. In opposition to the hot and dry air of a furnace, heat pumps circulate air that’s naturally wet –  so they won’t dry out your skin as much as the heat of the furnace.

LIFESPAN AND MAINTENANCE

A gas-fired furnace usually has a more lasting lifespan than a heat pump. Furnaces with proper maintenance can serve 20 years or more. A heat pump, like an air conditioner, normally has a lifespan of 15 years. Since a gas-operated furnace is only used for a few months out of each year, the maintenance demands are less than those for a heat pump. A gas-fired furnace also has fewer mechanical parts than a heat pump, meaning fewer things that can break down or malfunction.

WHERE YOU LIVE ALSO MATTERS

Understanding that every home and homeowner want is different, there are some general suggestions that can help you decide what heating device is right for you. Where you live will also matter to choose the heating device for you to look at how?

A heat pump is right for you if you live in a mild climate

If your winters average about 30-40 degrees F, heat pumps are the ideal fit for your home. A climate like the Southeast that has milder winters works properly for a heat pump. Additionally, areas with low electric rates are superior candidates for heat pumps.

A furnace is right for you if you live in a cold climate

If your winters are bitterly cold and hold temperatures consistently below freezing. Furnaces fare better in cold-weather climates because furnace doesn’t depend on the outside temperatures to convert to heat.