Choosing the right HVAC system for your household can be difficult when you must factor in your budget, comfort needs, existing fuel connections, and the size of your home. Fortunately, in addition to considering a new furnace, you also have the option to choose a modern heat pump. When deciding on the right system, you need to factor in its average use, care needs, and how well it functions in your climate. Here are the key differences between heat pumps and furnaces you should keep in mind when upgrading your home’s comfort.
Heat Pumps Don’t Generate Heat Like Furnaces
These two systems warm your home in vastly different ways. Furnaces manually create their heat using combustible fuel like natural gas or propane. There are also electric furnaces that function like hair dryers with heating elements. The burner will burn the fuel to create warmth that’s then transferred to the heat exchanger. Once enough air is heated, it’s pushed to the blower that circulates it through the ducts to your living spaces.
A heat pump, on the other hand, won’t generate heat but instead moves it from one area to another. During the winter, these systems draw warmth from the outdoors and move it via refrigerant lines into your home.
Heat Pumps Provide Heating and Cooling
Unlike furnaces that can only heat your home, heat pumps can deliver both heating and cooling. These systems are viable indoor comfort options all year long due to their reversing valves. When it’s hot outside, they operate like air conditioners by changing which way the refrigerant flows. Instead of transferring heat inside, the system will instead pull warmth from your interior. The refrigerant will change from a stable liquid into a gas before being pushed outdoors to release the heat. This cycle repeats until your home reaches your desired temperature.
Furnaces Operate Better in Colder Climates
A reliable furnace is the best option if you live in an area that experiences freezing winters. Gas furnaces in particular boast fast and consistent heating that can beat back the chill and protect your family. Electric furnaces may cost more to run than gas models and can provide heating more slowly, but they’re still better suited to freezing environments than heat pumps.
A heat pump does best in a mild to moderate climate. When the air gets too cold outside, these systems can struggle to pull in enough heat. Fortunately, modern systems can come with back-up heaters to improve their efficiency. You could also consider a geothermal heat pump, which is a type of HVAC system that involves burying pipes deep underground. This heat pump option costs more than the traditional system, but it guarantees more consistent temperature control no matter the season.
Furnaces Require More Space
Furnaces are typically installed inside the home in a basement or laundry room. To prevent fire hazards, you often must adhere to certain local safety codes that prevent you from building anything too close to the system. This heating option can take up a lot of room, making it a less-than-ideal option if you’re tight on space.
Heat pumps, on the other hand, are for the most part installed outdoors. They come with an external unit that connects to your indoor handlers via thin refrigerant lines. Heat pumps only need electricity rather than any combustion gases, meaning you won’t have to worry about giving them any extra safety clearance. These systems take up about as much space as an outdoor air conditioning unit.
Not All Heat Pumps Need Ductwork
All furnaces, no matter what fuel they utilize, require ductwork to distribute your warm air. Not all heat pumps, however, need the same system in place. Ductless heat pumps, also called mini-splits, can instead use handlers to control your home’s temperature. You can install these inside units in your key living areas like your bedrooms, living room, or kitchen. They naturally provide zoning control and don’t require any invasive installation.
Ductless heat pumps are a great option for homes that are too old for construction. They can also provide heating in hard-to-reach areas like your garage or attic. Thanks to their innate flexibility, they’re even viable in detached structures on your property like mother-in-law suites.
Furnaces Cost More To Run
Heat pumps are applauded as one of the most energy-efficient HVAC systems available on the market. Since they don’t create any heating or cooling but rather transfer it, they require very little energy to keep your home comfortable. Furnaces, on the other hand, are expensive to run throughout the winter. Gas tends to be less expensive than electricity, but this can fluctuate depending on your local rates. Propane is often the costliest fuel option.
However, when considering their seasonal costs, you should also factor in that it typically costs more to install a heat pump than a furnace. This can also vary depending on rebates and your local supplier’s rates. Other factors, like how much construction or labor you need, can also affect your fees. For example, installing a gas furnace when you already have a fuel connection makes the process faster and easier. Replacing your ductwork as well as changing HVAC systems could come with additional costs.
Heat Pumps Are Noisier
When malfunctioning, both furnaces and heat pumps can make loud screeching, clanking, grinding, or whooshing noises that disrupt your home’s peace. It’s important to note that even in peak conditions a heat pump tends to be noisier than other heating systems. When the compressor kicks on, it can make knocking and ticking sounds. You won’t notice many of these sounds since the system is outside. However, some noises will still travel in via the air handler. Furnaces often reside in the basement, making it harder to hear anything apart from a gentle whooshing or the initial click at the beginning of a cycle.
Both Systems Require Professional Installation
Whether you decide on a furnace or a heat pump, it’s vital to count on a heating and cooling professional for installation. These systems are too complicated for the average homeowner to install correctly. HVAC technicians have the training and skills to make sure you get the right size system for your home. Professionally installed systems also last longer and retain their valuable warranties.
Neglecting to go through a certified expert could result in unfortunate consequences like a premature replacement, more frequent repair needs, and lackluster indoor comfort. Additionally, most states and cities require major HVAC installations to follow local building codes. Without official approval, you may face fines in the future or find it difficult to sell the property.
Family-Owned Indoor Comfort Company
At Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc., we’re dedicated to affordability, transparency, and premium HVAC service in Nashua, NH. Our skilled technicians can handle all your residential comfort concerns as well as your light commercial work. Rely on us to repair or maintain your furnace, air conditioner, heat pump, or boiler. We also offer Wi-Fi thermostat installations and indoor air quality services. Call today to schedule your HVAC appointment.
