Many of our customers ask us about heat pumps versus central air and a furnace. There are definite pros and cons on either side. The answer is that it depends upon a number of factors, some of which are individual to your home. There are also factors that are dependent upon climate and area. Also, as technology improves, this analysis will likely look different.
Defining the Systems
This is about the differences between heating and cooling with an air-source heat pump or central air and a furnace. These are not the two only means of heating and cooling a home. There are other choices, such as geothermal heat pumps and boilers. In the US, the most common forms of heating and cooling a home are traditional HVAC or air-source heat pumps.
Central air means a central air conditioning unit that delivers cool air using refrigerant technology and ductwork. Furnaces utilize that same ductwork system. They heat through burning propane, natural gas, oil or through using electricity. An air-source heat pump is the most common type of heat pump used in the country today. Air-source heat pumps use refrigerant to transfer conditioned air. They also utilize your ductwork to deliver the cooled or warmed air to your home.
One Big Difference Between Heat Pumps and Traditional HVAC
You can see that there is one big difference between heat pumps and traditional HVAC right away. If you want a traditional HVAC system, you will need a central AC unit and a furnace. You will also have to maintain, repair and later replace two different units. With a heat pump, you get heating and cooling from both. You repair, maintain and replace only one unit over time. This is a cost savings right out of the box.
In terms of longevity, a well-maintained heat pump system will have an average 15-year lifespan. A well-maintained AC unit will have an average 20-year lifespan. A well-maintained furnace will average about 15 to 20 years of service. The heat pump has to work in both cooling and heating seasons, so it is working for you year-round.
Heat Pump Versus Furnace
Where Heat Pumps Don’t Fare Well
Heat pumps will definitely provide heat to a home. Their one drawback so far is that they do not perform as well in severe cold. They cannot extract as much heat from outdoor temperatures below freezing using refrigerant. This makes them strain in colder climates that see many winter days below freezing. In such climates, it is better to utilize furnaces for winter heating needs.
Another problem with heat pumps is that they don’t last long if you are near the ocean due to the salty air. A geothermal heat pump will not suffer in places with severe winters, nor in places with salty sea air. Geothermal heat pumps derive their air supply from underground. They are more expensive systems to build and require a lot large enough to snake the air tubes underground.
Heat Pump Versus Furnace in Milder Winters
So, we have narrowed down the air-supply heat pump’s range to somewhere without salty air that has milder winters. How does the heat pump compare to the furnace in a climate with a milder winter? Furnaces directly burn energy in order to warm your home. Heat pumps utilize refrigerant technology to create heat from existing outdoor temperatures. They use electricity to power their fans and their compressors.
Heat pumps in milder climates can create up to three times the heat energy from the electrical energy they use. In milder climates, heat pumps are very economical because you can cool with them in the summer as well. In places where the winters have many days below freezing, an air-source heat pump will struggle and be less efficient. Furnaces maintain the same heating efficiency, even in frigid weather.
Heat Pump Versus Furnace: Installation Costs
In terms of installation costs, heat pumps average from around $4,000 to $8,000. The average furnace installation is just under $5,000. These costs will vary dramatically, based upon if there is existing ductwork, the ductwork’s condition, the purchased unit’s efficiency and your home’s size.
Heat Pump Versus Furnace: Operating Costs
In an area with lower electricity costs and mild winters, heat pumps are cheaper to run than furnaces. In areas with high electricity costs, severe winters and lower prices for fuels, furnaces are usually more economical.
Heat Pump Versus Furnace: General Recommendation
Furnaces are more economical where there are severe winters, electricity costs are very high and fuel costs are lower. Heat pumps are a great choice where you have lower electricity costs and milder winters. Heat pumps don’t use much electricity to deliver heat through your ductwork.
Heat Pump Versus Central Air Conditioning Unit
How Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners Cool
In essence, both heat pumps and central AC utilize the magic of refrigeration to cool your home. Heat pumps remove the hot air from your home using the differential in boiling points between water and refrigerant. The AC cools the air by blowing it over an evaporator coil full of refrigerant.
Heat Pump Versus AC: Installation Cost
Going back to our initial figures, air-source heat pump installation is about $4,000 to $8,000. That one device will heat and cool your home in a climate with milder winters with very good energy efficiency. The average figures for AC installation are around the same as for the heat pump, $4,000 to $8,000.
Heat Pump Versus AC: Energy Efficiency and Operating Cost
Heat pumps and central AC units both are rated by their SEER number. It is the energy-efficiency rating for both types of cooling devices. You can choose a central air conditioning unit or a heat pump with the same SEER. This means you will use the same energy to cool your home with either unit. Thus, the energy cost to provide the same amount of cooling will be the same. You will want to examine the differences in purchase price and installation cost between the heat pump and central AC unit. Then, you can factor that into the energy savings over the lifespan of each unit. A SEER calculator online is a great way to easily make such a cost-benefit analysis.
Heat Pump Versus Traditional HVAC: Overall Recommendation
This recommendation is for the present state of technology for heat pumps, central AC units and furnaces. In inland areas with milder winters, the best option may be a heat pump as your sole heating and cooling source. Areas with higher electricity costs, severe winters and lower fuel costs will likely fare better with a traditional HVAC system.
Davis & Green: Your Local Central Air, Furnace and Heat Pump Contractor
At Davis & Green in Richmond, VA, we are your full-service HVAC provider. We repair, install and maintain central air conditioning units, furnaces, heat pumps and boilers. We also provide electrical services, plumbing services and handyman work.
When you need repair, maintenance or installation of any type of HVAC system, call us at Davis & Green in Richmond, VA. We will serve you as we would our own family.
