You have a range of choices when it comes to finding a heating appliance to insulate your home. Selecting the proper heating system may be overwhelming if you’re not an expert in commercial HVAC service. Contact Cool Tech Mechanical in Arlington, TX, if you require assistance and a professional opinion.
Heat Pump vs. Furnace: Key Differences
Energy Source
- Heat pump: According to our experts for heat pump repair in Arlington, TX, heat pumps operate solely with electricity.
- Furnace: Furnaces are powered by propane, natural gas or oil, and electricity.
Cost
- Heat pump: The typical cost of installing a new heating system in a house is between $3500 to $4,500. According to our experts for heat pump repair in Arlington, TX, air-to-air heat pumps are among the most affordable models, while geothermal heat pumps need drilling and are more costly than air-to-air models.
- Furnace: The price for installing a furnace is around $4000 for an electric model and $4,500 for a gas model.
Efficiency
- Heat pump: The heat pumps use little electricity to transfer heat from one area to another, making them extremely energy efficient. However, they are less efficient for colder climates than furnaces.
- Furnace: Furnaces utilize propane, natural gas, oil, or electricity to generate heat. In general, natural gas has the highest efficiency of alternatives, which makes a furnace an ideal option in cold weather.
Durability
- Heat pump: Most heat pumps have a lifespan of 15 years. However, maintaining this efficiency requires regular HVAC service.
- Furnace: Our HVAC service experts in the Arlington, TX, area say a well-maintained furnace can last 20-25 years before the homeowner will need to replace it.
Heating Capacity
- Heat pump: The heat pumps can generate anywhere between 9,000 BTU and 60,000 BTU in heating power. They can be used for areas that range from 200 sq ft up to 1,400 sq ft.
- Furnace: On the other hand, a furnace can generate between 24,000 BTU to over 120,000 BTU of heating power. Furnaces are utilized for heating homes ranging between 500 sq ft and 3,500 sq feet.
Appearance
- Heat pumps: Heat pumps usually require a big independent unit placed on the house’s exterior. Mini-splits also require hanging large units on the house’s walls.
- Furnace: In contrast to heat pumps, furnaces are usually inconspicuous. They’re typically placed in attics, basements, or utility rooms, which are generally hidden out of sight.
Bottom Line:
Both heat pumps and furnaces are great heating options for any homeowner. However, the size of your home, the climate you live in, and other factors can make one of the two a better option for your specific needs. So keep in mind that:
- A heat pump could be the best option if you reside in a mild climate: A climate with milder winters is ideal for using a heat pump as they rely on outside temperatures to turn into heat. Furthermore, places with low electric costs are the best for heat pumps.
- A furnace could be the right choice if you reside in a cold climate: If you live in a climate where winters are freezing, a furnace might be the right choice for you and your home. Furnaces work better in cold-weather conditions because they don’t rely on outside temperatures to produce heat.
Cool Tech Mechanical is the company to contact if you need to decide on the best heating systems. Call us at (817) 904-5258 to schedule an appointment for commercial HVAC service in Arlington, TX.
