Heat Pump vs. Furnace: Which Is Best in Hamilton Township?
Both the furnace and heat pump provides heat to your home, but they work in different ways.
So, which one is right for your Mercer County, NJ, home? Let’s look at the pros and cons of each:
- Cost to Install: Most often, it’s cheaper to install a gas furnace than a heat pump. However, if your home also requires cooling, you’ll want to pair the furnace with an air conditioner, while a heat pump performs both tasks.
- Energy Efficiency: Heat pumps are more energy-efficient than furnaces because it’s easier to transfer heat rather than produce it the way furnaces do. In the best conditions, the heat pump can transfer 300 percent more energy than it consumes, while a high-efficiency gas furnace is only about 90 percent efficient.
- Quality of Air: Heat pumps don’t burn fuel, so they don’t produce any harmful emissions. If you’re someone who has concerns for the environment, the heat pump is ‘greener’ than most heaters and furnaces.
- Comfort: One advantage the gas furnace has over the heat pump is that it produces hot and toasty heat. While heat pumps don’t provide air as hot as the average furnace, they still do an admirable job of heating your home; however, some people prefer a hotter heat source.
- Lifespan: In the best cases, the average gas furnace lasts longer than the heat pump. Gas furnaces, when properly maintained, can last up to 20 years, while a heat pump usually lasts about 15 years. Also, the gas furnace has fewer moving parts, which means fewer things can malfunction.