Which is Better? Heat Pump vs. Furnace
What are Heat Pumps?
A heat pump includes heating and cooling functions and uses electricity to produce both. These appliances have a valve that lets them reverse the flow of refrigerant from summer to winter. In the summer, the refrigerant absorbs the heat inside your home, and in the winter, the heat pump pulls the heat in the air and brings it inside to warm your house.
They’re highly effective as heating systems, except when temperatures plunge below freezing. Many people opt for heat pumps if they need both a home heating and cooling system.
What’s a Furnace?
A furnace uses natural gas, propane, or oil to generate heat. It includes a burner where the fuel burns and a heat exchanger that captures the heat. A blower fan sends air over the heat exchanger, and the heated air blows through the ductwork. Since furnaces use fuel, there are no limits on how much heat they can produce regardless of the outdoor temperatures.
Heat Pump Benefits
These systems are energy-efficient as both heating and cooling systems. They don’t use fuel, although there are hybrid heat pumps available that let you switch from the heat pump to a burner. The burner uses gas when temperatures get too cold. The experts at Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning in Seattle can help you to explore whether a hybrid system would work best for you.
Furnace Benefits
When the cost of natural gas is low, it can cut the cost of home heating. Furnaces produce ample heat regardless of the outdoor temperatures. If you have to use propane, then a furnace may not be a cost-effective choice since its cost per Btu is higher than gas.
The pros at Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning in Seattle, WA, can answer all your questions about the best heating system for you. Call us today to find out more.