Need a New Heating System? Consider a Heat Pump
If you’d like to replace your old furnace, don’t presume that another furnace is the only option. This may be the preferred choice for most North American households, but heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular. Still, the question remains: Is a heat pump your ideal heating system? Explore several convincing reasons to try a heat pump, how it differs from a traditional furnace and whether a heat pump is the best choice for your home comfort needs.
How Are Heat Pumps Different Than Furnaces?
The underlying technology between a heat pump and a traditional furnace is essentially different. Furnaces burn combustible materials like 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 have high AFUE ratings, which is understandably appealing. But this only measures the furnace’s ability to convert fuel to heat—it doesn’t account for the entire energy footprint involved in the extraction, refining and transportation of said fuel.
By comparison, a heat pump’s efficiency is measured by its heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF). While it’s not easy to compare these numbers at first glance, know that heat pumps frequently outperform furnaces.
Top Reasons to Install a Heat Pump
Here’s why more and more homeowners are considering a heat pump for their year-round heating and cooling needs.
1. Lower Energy Bills
The operating cost is the number one priority when deciding on 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 generating three times the heat energy than the electrical energy consumed during the process. In other words, heat pumps can be three times as efficient under ideal operating conditions. This cost-efficient performance leads to reduced utility bills.
2. Eco-Friendly Heating
Your household’s environmental footprint could be more modest with a heat pump. While electric furnaces exist, traditional gas-fired furnaces run on combustible natural gas or heating oil, the production and distribution of which harms the planet. A heat pump operates without burning fuel, reducing your home’s environmental impact, particularly if you also have solar panels to produce environmentally friendly electricity from the sun.
3. Heating and Cooling Dual Functionality
One of the most innovative features of a heat pump is its versatility. It’s an effective wintertime heater and doubles as your air conditioner during the summer. Thanks to a simple built-in switch, the heat pump changes its operation and pulls out warm air from your home, just like a standard AC unit. This dual-purpose solution appeals to many homeowners.
4. Quiet Operation
Heat pumps run with less noise than traditional furnaces as they don’t have to burn fuel to generate heat. No combustion means reduced noise, resulting in a calmer living space.
5. Easy Transition
If your home already has ductwork, transitioning to a heat pump is a fast, easy process. The air handler goes where your furnace is currently located, and the outdoor unit replaces your air conditioner. It’s just that easy.
Are Heat Pumps Right for Everyone?
While heat pumps are innovative and energy efficient, they may not fit every situation. Heating efficiency drops in extreme cold, making heat pumps less effective in regions with colder winters. However, advancements in cold-climate technology are making heat pumps more consistently effective in the far north, so keep your eye out for models designed to work in such settings.
It’s also worth mentioning that the initial cost of buying a high-quality heat pump is generally higher than a forced-air furnace. However, it means you don’t have to buy an air conditioner. If both systems are getting older, you may actually save money up front by upgrading them with a heat pump. Plus, you’ll gain back any investment cost through lower energy bills over time.
If your home is missing the necessary ductwork, adding it adds to your up-front costs. But furnaces need ductwork too, so this doesn’t necessarily prefer selecting a furnace over a heat pump. In fact, ductless heat pumps are available for older homes and additions where ductwork isn’t present.
Finally, a heat pump’s efficiency benefits start to fall off if you live in an area with higher than average electricity costs. You can mitigate this by adding solar panels, which generate electricity from the sun to power your heat pump, light bulbs, electronics and more.
Choose Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing
Still not sure if a heat pump is right for you? Consult Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, and our installers can help you figure out if a heat pump meets 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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