Is it worth it to replace a gas furnace with a heat pump? It’s easy to look at the simple effectiveness of a furnace and assume that it’s more than adequate, but there may be some benefits of a heat pump that you’re overlooking when determining the right HVAC system for you. In this guide, we’ll explain why so many homeowners are making the upgrade to a heat pump, the many benefits of these HVAC units, and key considerations to make before switching your furnace out.
Why Homeowners Are Switching From Gas Furnaces to Heat Pumps
Can a heat pump replace a furnace, really? As it turns out, yes! These HVAC units are becoming increasingly popular across the US for several key reasons, including enhanced energy efficiency, low environmental impact, versatile heating and cooling capabilities, improved safety and air quality, and a longer lifespan compared to other forms of home heating. With all these benefits, it’s no wonder that heat pumps are on the rise nationwide.
Can a Heat Pump Really Replace a Gas Furnace?
Of course, heat pumps can’t really be the perfect, be-all, end-all heating solution, right? Heat pumps are an incredibly effective way to heat your home in most cases, but there are still scenarios where a traditional gas furnace is better.
The main thing to consider is the average winter climate of your area. If your region gets milder winters, a heat pump will be more than capable of keeping your home toasty warm throughout the season. The only time a heat pump really isn’t suitable is if your area is prone to extremely cold winters, at which point a gas furnace will likely be less expensive and offer more reliable comfort.
In short, unless you live in an area where the temperature is constantly below freezing in winter, a heat pump can absolutely replace your old, inefficient gas furnace and save you hundreds or thousands of dollars a year in energy costs.
Benefits of Replacing Your Furnace With a Heat Pump
There are many benefits of choosing a heat pump to replace a gas furnace.
Energy efficiency
The number one reason people are making the switch to heat pumps is for their superior energy efficiency. Your HVAC systems play a big role in your home’s overall energy usage, with heat pumps saving as much as 75% in energy costs compared to more traditional heaters. Plus, when you opt for a heat pump with additional features like dehumidification, you can reduce energy costs even further by reducing the number of systems drawing power at a given time.
In addition to the costs you’ll save on your energy bills, heat pumps can also help you take advantage of energy rebates and tax incentives. When properly maintained, a heat pump is an investment that will pay for itself over the years.
Versatility
Another key benefit of a heat pump is the fact that it can heat and cool your home. Unlike a furnace or air conditioner, which only does one or the other, the design of these units means it’s able to transfer heat in or out of your home depending on the temperature and the settings you input.
Heat pumps use metal coils, a fan, and a refrigerant system to absorb ambient heat from outside and pump it into your home, or to do the same thing in reverse in order to cool your space. This versatility makes heat pumps a great option for those who are tired of the big temperature fluctuations of using a furnace and air conditioner.
Safety
Unlike many furnaces, which use gas to heat your home, there’s no combustion involved with a heat pump. This means that even if you let the unit fall into complete disrepair, there’s no real threat to your health and safety. You can’t say the same for gas-powered furnaces — a leak with one of these systems means you need to evacuate your home and call an expert for help immediately.
Improved air quality
Heat pumps also offer safety through improved indoor air quality (IAQ). With most modern units, you get advanced filtration built in, meaning more dust, pollen, and other pollutants are filtered out of your home’s indoor air supply. A lot of heat pumps also come with built-in dehumidification, amplifying the IAQ benefits. This can be especially useful for people with respiratory illnesses, allergies, asthma, and other health concerns.
Longer lifespan
When compared to the typical furnace lifespan of 15 to 20 years, heat pumps tend to win when it comes to longevity. With proper maintenance and care, a heat pump can last 20 years or longer quite easily, saving homeowners on HVAC replacement.
Things to Consider Before Making the Switch
Now that we understand the benefits and main caveats of swapping your furnace for a heat pump, let’s go over the considerations homeowners should make before committing to an HVAC upgrade.
Cost
Firstly, you’ll need to consider the upfront costs of a heat pump, which tend to be quite a bit higher than traditional furnaces. While you can offset these costs with local, state, and federal energy rebates, it’s still quite an expensive project, and it will take time to start noticing the savings. For this reason, it’s worth looking for a local HVAC installer who offers financing on heat pump installation.
Local Climate
You should also look at the average winter temperatures and the number of heating days per year to figure out if a heat pump can really save you on heating costs. Here in our service area of South Plainfield and Woodbridge, New Jersey, we regularly advise homeowners on the real savings they can expect over time when upgrading to a heat pump, based on comprehensive weather history and other climate data.
Insulation & Ductwork
To ensure you’re able to get the most out of your new heat pump, you should also assess your home’s insulation and existing ductwork. By getting these in good condition before your heat pump installation, you’ll save more money on energy costs and enjoy more reliable climate control inside.
Heat Pump Type
Lastly, you’ll need to choose the right type of heat pump for you. There are three main kinds of heat pumps, which differ by the medium they use to exchange warm and cool air. There are air-source, ground-source, and water-source heat pumps — the right option will depend on your specific local environment. There are also central-ducted and ductless heat pumps, which you’ll choose between depending on the size of your space and the existing ductwork (or lack thereof) in your home.
Upgrade Your Home Heating with Sam’s Air
A heat pump has the potential to save you thousands in energy costs, improve home comfort, lower your environmental impact, and enjoy a safer, cleaner home at the same time. If you’re interested in learning more about switching your inefficient gas furnace for a modern, reliable heat pump, we’re here to help!
Metuchen residents choose Sam’s Air because of their honesty, integrity, and dedication to customer satisfaction. With a real commitment to your comfort, we approach every job like it were a member of our own family — because when you work with Sam’s Air Control, that’s exactly what you are. Contact us to schedule your first HVAC appointment today!
