Heat Pump In Houston

INSTALLATION COST

Generally, the initial cost and installation of a gas furnace is cheaper than a heat pump. However, if your home requires cooling, a furnace will need to be matched with an air conditioner. A heat pump can do both. Altogether, your home comfort costs may be less with a heat pump. Of course, unit costs will vary depending on the size and model selected for both.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Heat pumps are more energy-efficient than furnaces because transferring heat is easier than making it. Under ideal conditions, a heat pump can transfer 300 percent more energy than it consumes. In contrast, a high-efficiency gas furnace is about 90 percent efficient. Heat pumps are powered by electricity, so you can save substantially on fuel consumption. It’s over 100% efficient in temperate climates and can serve as both a heater and an air conditioner.

AIR QUALITY

Since heat pumps don’t use combustion, they don’t produce any harmful greenhouse gas emissions. This is becoming more and more important and some communities are even instituting local regulations insisting on lower-emission heat sources. Recent advancements have made many furnace models more energy efficient and lower their impact on the environment.

COLD WEATHER EFFECTIVENESS

A gas furnace burns fuel so it can generate heat on the coldest days. If the outside air temperature routinely falls below freezing, a heat pump may have a hard time generating enough heat to keep your home warm. Supplemental systems are available to work in tandem with your heat pump and kick in on the coldest days. Unfortunately, these systems use a lot of energy – canceling out the energy efficient benefits if used too often.

COMFORT

The heat produced by gas furnaces feels hot and toasty compared to heat pump. In general, the air from a heat pump isn’t as hot as what you get from a gas furnace. It’s still warming your home, but it “blows cooler.” Some people don’t like that. In contrast to the hot and dry air of a furnace, heat pumps circulate air that’s naturally humid – so they won’t dry out your skin as much as the heat of furnace.

LIFESPAN AND MAINTENANCE

A gas-fired furnace generally has a longer lifespan than a heat pump. Furnaces with proper maintenance can last 20 years or more. A heat pump, like an air conditioner, more commonly has a lifespan of 15 years. Since a gas-operated furnace is only used for a few months out of each year, the maintenance requirements are less than those for a heat pump. A gas-fired furnace also has fewer mechanical parts than a heat pump, meaning fewer things that can break down or malfunction.

Source: Trane

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