If you need to replace the central heating in your home or are building a new house, you should give some careful consideration to the type of heating system you want to install. Gas furnaces continue to be the most popular heating option in places like Montana where the winters can get extremely cold.
Nonetheless, a heat pump system can also be a good option that will still ensure your home is always sufficiently warm. Let’s look at how furnaces and heat pumps compare in various areas to make it easier for you to decide which type of heating system is right for your home.
Upfront Cost
Cost is always going to be an important factor when choosing the specific type, brand and model of heating system you want to install. On average, a heat pump system will normally cost you a bit more than what you’d pay for a furnace. However, this isn’t always the case since it depends largely on the type of furnace or heat pump and how efficient it is. For instance, a high-efficiency modulating furnace or a two-stage furnace will likely be a bit more expensive than a single-stage heat pump.
When comparing the cost of a furnace vs. a heat pump, you also need to think about the fact that this system also provides air conditioning. That means you’ll save in the long run with a heat pump since you don’t have the added cost of having to install a separate AC system.
Heating Effectiveness
One area where gas furnaces really stand out is in how effectively they heat. The best way to compare different types of heating systems is to look at their average temperature rise, which is how much they increase the temperature of the air coming into the system. Most modern gas furnaces are rated to have a temperature rise of somewhere between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. That means, if the furnace is running when the temperature in the house is 70 degrees, the air coming out of the furnace should be between 110 and 140 degrees.
Most heat pumps only produce a temperature rise of around 15 to 25 degrees. Some can achieve a rise of 30 to 35 degrees but only when it’s not that cold outside. That’s because the colder it is outside, the less heat there is in the air for the heat pump to capture and transfer into the house.
A properly working furnace can usually increase the temperature inside a house by 3 to 5 degrees per hour. With a heat pump, you’ll typically never get an increase of more than 1 degree per hour. Furnaces also typically never need to run for more than 15 minutes or so when just maintaining a set temperature. Heat pumps, on the other hand, will usually run almost constantly to ensure they maintain desired warmth.
While some people worry that a heat pump won’t be able to produce sufficient heat, this generally isn’t the case with a cold-climate heat pump. Cold-climate systems also contain electric heat strips that can run as needed to provide supplementary heat. These strips usually run during the defrost cycle and will also come on any time you’re trying to raise the temperature in the house instead of just maintaining it. They also serve as a backup for the rare occasions when it’s so cold outside that the heat pump can’t work at all, which is usually when it gets below -15 to -20 degrees.
Energy Efficiency and Heating Costs
Comparing the energy efficiency of a heat pump and a furnace is straightforward. Conventional furnaces range between 80% and 89% efficient. Condensing furnaces are between 90% and 98% efficient. Most heat pumps are between 300% and 400% efficient when running in temperatures around 40 degrees or higher. The efficiency of a heat pump decreases as the temperature drops, but it typically never drops below 150%.
What isn’t so straightforward is comparing the average heating costs of a furnace and a heat pump. This is partly because they use different energy sources. So, it depends on how much you pay for natural gas compared to your electricity rates. Another reason is that furnaces run for fewer hours per day.
Even though heat pumps run more, the fact that they are so much more energy efficient means your heating costs will typically be at least a little bit lower with one of these systems. In most cases, you can expect to save somewhere around 25%-33% with a heat pump compared to what you’d pay to heat your house with a furnace. However, it depends on how often the electric heat strips in the heat pump run, as they use much more electricity than the heat pump itself.
Life Expectancy
One other factor you always want to consider is how long you can expect your new heating system to last. This is another area where furnaces typically have a slight advantage, mainly because they only get used in winter whereas heat pumps run in both winter and summer. You can usually expect a new furnace will last around 15 years as long as you have a professional inspect and service it every winter. In some cases, you can even get up to 20 years of life out of a properly maintained furnace. Heat pumps can also potentially last for 20 years, but many end up needing to be replaced after only 10 to 12 years. If you want to get the most out of a heat pump, you need to have it inspected and serviced in the winter and then again at the start of the summer.
An Overview of Dual-Fuel Heating Systems
One other option you may want to consider is a dual-fuel heating system, which has both a heat pump and a gas furnace. The heat pump in a dual-fuel system generally does most of the work of maintaining the temperature in the home. The furnace essentially serves the same role as the electric heat strips in a standard cold-climate heat pump system. That means it will run on its own when you’re trying to increase the temperature or if the temperature starts to drop while the heat pump is in defrost mode. It’s also always there to ensure you stay warm if the heat pump quits working for any reason or whenever it’s too cold for it to run.
While a dual-fuel heating system is quite a bit more expensive, it will typically allow you to heat your house for the least amount of money. That’s partly just because the furnace will use significantly less energy and be much cheaper to operate than the electric heat strips in a cold-climate heat pump. If your electric company charges higher rates at peak times, you can also save by running the furnace and only using the heat pump during the off-peak hours.
Call the Pros
If you’re searching for a top-notch HVAC company in Billings, Central Heating & Air Conditioning is the one to call. We’ve been in business since 1945 and are dedicated to providing exceptional heating and air conditioning services. In addition, we specialize in air quality, so we can help you improve the air in your home to ensure your family’s comfort. If you’re not sure which heating system is the right choice, give us a call, and one of our experts will guide you through all of your options and help you select the best one for your home.
