Heat pumps and furnaces can both keep homes warm and comfortable during the cold winter months, but they work very differently. Furnaces burn fuel to generate heat whereas heat pumps simply transfer heat from one place to another. Both approaches have advantages and disadvantages, and there is no clear winner. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of furnaces and heat pumps so you can make a wise choice for how to heat your home.
The Pros of Furnaces
Furnaces have been heating homes for centuries, so they offer a tested solution. Furnaces provide reliable heat in even the coldest climates, and they can run smoothly for decades. Furnaces usually cost less than heat pumps, and installing one will be fairly simple and inexpensive if your home already has ductwork. Furnaces are also fairly basic machines, so they do not require a lot of maintenance. An annual filter change and blower cleaning is usually all that’s needed.
The Cons of Furnaces
Furnaces provide consistent heat, but they have high operating costs. Furnaces generate heat by burning fuel, and fuel is expensive. Furnaces are less energy efficient than heat pumps, and the carbon monoxide they produce can be dangerous if it is not vented properly. Finally, furnaces require ductwork to send the heat they produce to every part of a home, and installing ductwork can be costly.
The Pros of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are far more energy efficient than furnaces, and they can cool homes as well as heat them. You will not have to install ductwork if you decide to heat your home with a heat pump, which could lower your installation costs considerably. You also won’t have to worry about toxic gases if you install a heat pump. Heat pumps are installed outside and do not release carbon monoxide into the atmosphere, which makes them safer for families and better for the environment.
The Cons of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps work by transferring warm air from the outside to the inside, so they may not be the best heating solution in very cold areas. There are heat pumps that get around this problem by drawing heat from deep underground. These geothermal heat pumps can warm a home in even the coldest weather, but they are more expensive than traditional units. They also cost more to install.
The Furnace and Heat Pump Experts
The friendly and experienced HVAC technicians at Paragon Heating, Cooling, and Tankless have been serving local residents for two decades, and they would be happy to answer any questions you have about heating your home. If you want to stay warm and comfortable all winter long, you can rely on the experts at Paragon Heating, Cooling, and Tankless to manage your furnaces and heat pumps in Arlington Heights, IL.
