Heat pump vs furnace: which unit is better for heating your home?
Choosing between a furnace and a heat pump is a difficult decision in Ontario when it comes to finding the best home heating system, as each has unique features and benefits. Thus, climate, energy efficiency, initial investment, and ongoing operating expenses are only some of the aspects that must be taken into account while selecting between the two. This way, because of the long-term impact on your home’s convenience and economy, it’s essential to carefully consider all of your options before settling on one.
How does a heat pump work?
As its name suggests, a heat pump transfers heat from one place to another in order to provide both heating and cooling processes. In heating mode, the unit draws heat from the outside air (even when it’s freezing outside) and moves it inside, increasing the indoor temperature (since even cold air includes some heat energy, this method is feasible). When switched to cooling mode, however, the heat pump does the opposite: it absorbs heat from the indoor air and releases it outside, making the interior temperature lower. As a result of its ability to perform dual functions, heat pumps have become a popular year-round alternative to conventional heating and cooling systems.
What is a furnace and how does it work?
A furnace is an essential part of many heating systems because of its ability to produce and disperse heat throughout a house. Driven by combustion, this unit may be powered by various fuels, including natural gas, oil, or electricity. However, depending on the type of furnace, the mechanism’s operation principle will differ.
Gas furnaces
When fuel is ignited in a combustion chamber, it creates high-temperature flames, which, in turn, warm a heat exchanger, a metal part of the furnace. When the heat exchanger becomes heated, it takes in the fresh air from the surroundings and forces it over the hot surface. When air moves over a heat exchanger that has been preheated to a high temperature, it becomes warmer. Eventually, the heated air is distributed throughout the building via a system of ducts and vents.
Oil furnaces
This type of furnace functions in a similar fashion, except that instead of natural gas, heating oil is atomized and ignited in the burner.
Electric furnaces
In contrast, electric furnaces use heating elements (often made of coiled wire or ceramic) that are powered by an electric current to produce heat. Directly warmed by the heated elements, the air is then ducted and distributed throughout the building.
Heat pump vs furnace: what are the main differences?
Although both heat pumps and furnaces have similar components, both of them have significant differences in functionality and operation:
Heat pump
- Operates greatly in moderate climates but is less efficient in cold temperatures;
- Heats and cools;
- Demonstrates the best energy efficiency;
Electric furnace
- High electricity consumption makes it less effective in cold regions.
- Only heats;
- Compared to other units, it demonstrates the lowest energy efficiency;
Gas furnace
- A great choice for cold climates;
- Only heats;
- Considered as good in terms of energy efficiency;
Oil furnace
- A great choice for cold climates;
- Only heats;
- This type may have higher operational costs, and the heating efficiency can vary;
What about expenses?
Heat pump
Generally, the cost of installing a new heat pump ranges between $3,500 and $4,500 on average. However, the final price depends on factors such as the availability of ducts, the size of the system and the type of heat pump. For instance, air-to-air heat pumps are more affordable but less efficient in cold climates, while geothermal units might be more expensive to install, but they would be more energy-effective in the long run.
Furnace
When comparing the cost of installing heat pumps and furnaces, the latter tend to be more expensive, requiring around $4000 to install an electric furnace and $4500 for the same procedure for a gas furnace. As a fuel, natural gas is more efficient, but the installation of a gas pipeline can have a significant impact on the final bill, making electric furnaces a great option in some cases.
What about indoor comfort?
When choosing between a gas furnace vs. a heat pump, the former is preferable in colder regions due to its fast and powerful heating capabilities. In turn, although heat pumps have certain limitations in operation during extremely cold weather conditions and may take longer to warm up a room, once the desired temperature is reached, they maintain it quite well. During the summer months, heat pumps can also switch their function and work as air conditioners, making them a year-round option for home comfort.
What about air quality?
It is well known that furnaces heat up quite quickly and very effectively. However, such a process can lead to CO leakage (if used incorrectly) and cause the air within to dry out, making a humidifier a necessity for the optimal indoor environment. In terms of a heat pump system vs. a furnace, the former provides better indoor air quality and maintains humidity levels throughout the winter, which makes the house more pleasant to spend time in.
What about general energy efficiency?
While both furnaces and heat pumps may be used to warm a house, they do it in very different ways and are, therefore, not equally efficient at doing so. While improvements in furnace technology have led to greater efficiency, combustion always results in some energy loss, even in the most contemporary furnaces. Heat pumps, on the other hand, function by moving heat from one place to another via the use of a refrigeration cycle; therefore, the efficiency of this method of producing heat is far higher than that of combustion. Eventually, when selecting between a gas furnace vs a heat pump, the heat pumps may give up to 3 times as much energy as they consume to operate.
The main advantages of installing a furnace
To begin, furnaces are an excellent choice for heating in very cold areas due to their durability and dependability. Thus, even at subzero temperatures, these HVAC units can swiftly generate (through the combustion of fuels like natural gas or oil) and distribute hot air, making them ideal for heating large spaces. Also, the initial investment for installing a furnace is often less than that of a heat pump. Thus, it makes a furnace a more attractive alternative for homeowners looking for a cheap, easy heating solution and still weighing between “heat pump vs furnace.” However, despite these advantages, the furnaces have several notable drawbacks.
The main drawbacks of installing a furnace
Compared to heat pumps, which may also serve to cool a room, furnaces have a quite restricted range of applications and can be used only to heat the space. This necessitates the purchase of an air conditioner to provide year-round comfort in a house with a furnace. Further, even though contemporary furnaces have improved energy efficiency, they may still experience heat loss through the ducting. In addition, the furnace setup may require an expensive ducting system installation. Also, a furnace”s improper maintenance or irregular cleaning may lead to premature failure and even cause fire and explosions.
The main advantages of installing a heat pump
Heat pumps are very efficient because they do not need to burn fuel to transfer heat but use a refrigeration cycle. It results in much lower energy usage and cheaper utility costs, particularly in moderate climates. Additionally, heat pumps serve as both a heater and an air conditioner, making them a flexible option for year-round temperature regulation. Furthermore, in terms of heat pumps vs gas/oil furnaces comparison, the former are eco-friendly since they don’t release greenhouse gases or other pollutants. Last but not least, their safety features are among the best, as they do not involve the combustion or storage of potentially hazardous fuels.
The main drawbacks of installing a heat pump
First, a heat pump’s effectiveness might drop in extremely cold conditions, which may call for the need for supplemental heating systems. It suggests that a furnace may be a more dependable choice in regions where cold weather persists for long periods of time. Furthermore, despite the potential for significant savings on utility bills over time, the sophisticated technology required to operate a heat pump results in higher initial costs associated with installing the unit, which may deter some homeowners.
As a result, when choosing the best HVAC system, carefully analyze your needs and preferences or trust this assessment to professionals. During this step, it”s always necessary to decide what is more important for you: heating efficiency, savings on utility bills, air quality or the necessity for the ducting system installation. Only by taking all the mentioned-above factors into account will you be able to choose what unit is better.
Furnace
- Heat production. It distributes warm air around the home by burning the fuel (such as gas or oil), producing the heat. The unit may also rely on electricity as a power source;
- Efficiency. Factors such as fuel source (natural gas, oil, electricity), age, and design may all affect a device’s efficiency. Some high-efficiency furnace models may reach approximately 95% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency);
Heat pump
- Heat production. Heat pumps use electricity and refrigerant to move heat from outside air to inside air. When used in reverse, these units may also cool the space;
- Efficiency. It is extremely effective in transforming electrical energy into heating. The unit has the potential to generate three times as much heating and cooling as the electricity it consumes;
Do heat pumps and air conditioners have any similarities?
Surely, there is a clear functional analogy between heat pumps and central air conditioners. When it comes to transferring heat, both systems rely on a refrigeration cycle: when set to the cooling mode, they remove the heat from the inside air and release it outdoors. Therefore, since these HVAC units operate on a similar basis, there is no significant difference in efficiency or energy costs between them in terms of cooling.
However, when selecting between a heat pump vs an air conditioner, the former has the undeniable advantage. In contrast to air conditioners, which are only meant for cooling, the pumps cool the space, dehumidify the air, clean it and serve as a heating system for the whole house, offering warmth during the colder months. Due to its ability to both cool and heat a place, heat pumps are a more flexible and energy-efficient solution than ACs for year-round temperature management.
Does a heat pump replace an air conditioner?
In many cases, heat pumps may be efficiently used instead of a central air conditioning system because of their ability to provide a pleasant, noise-free indoor environment in both warm and cold seasons. In warm weather, a heat pump functions similarly to an air conditioner by removing heat from within a building and releasing it outside. When the temperature drops, the pump may be used to heat the room by absorbing warmth from the air outside and bringing it inside the house.
The main pros and cons of air conditioners
The main advantages of the conventional central air conditioning system
- They cool the whole house evenly and consistently, making it pleasant even on the hottest days.
- Dehumidification is another benefit of central air conditioners, which contributes to both comfort and preventing problems such as mould growth and structural damage due to excessive humidity.
- Replacing an old central air conditioner with a new one is usually cheaper than installing a new heat pump.
- Additionally, when choosing between heat pumps and air conditioners in Ontario, keep in mind that air conditioning systems operate using common mechanisms (familiar to most HVAC professionals, which can make it easier to repair the unit).
The main drawbacks of the conventional central air conditioning system
- Conventional central air conditioners require a properly installed duct system. If the ductwork is in poor condition, it will lead to energy loss and increased utility costs.
- A conventional AC consumes more energy to cool and “dry” the house than a heat pump.
- Central air conditioners are weather-dependent and are not recommended to be switched on if the temperature is below 10 degrees Celsius.
- This device cannot save you in cold winters, so you will have to buy a furnace to heat the room.
Are heat pumps as good at cooling as air conditioners?
Heat pumps are quite effective at cooling; in fact, they may match or even outperform the cooling capacity of conventional air conditioners in many situations. The cooling capacities of many contemporary heat pumps have been optimized to be both efficient and powerful. They work by removing heat from within and releasing it outside, reversing the refrigeration cycle and cooling the inside. Because of this mechanism, heat pumps can keep the house at a pleasant temperature even in the hottest summer months. Since these units transfer heat rather than generate it, they are better regarding the “heat pump vs air conditioner” efficiency difference.
Why does our company recommend installing a heat pump instead of an air conditioner?
Despite the higher initial installation cost, heat pumps are superior to traditional air conditioning systems in many aspects. Firstly, the pump can replace an air conditioner and a furnace, fulfilling both heating and cooling needs and saving significant amounts of money for the homeowner in the long run. Secondly, heat pumps use electricity as a power source, which eliminates the need to use gas-operated HVAC systems for heating (nowadays, it can be particularly advantageous as gas prices frequently fluctuate). Thirdly, homeowners can save even more by joining “The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program” and having part of the installation costs refunded.
Heat pump
- Fulfills both heating and cooling demands
- The average lifespan is 12-15 years
- Its cooling capacities are both efficient and powerful
- It may either operate via ducts or be ductless
Central AC
- It is designed primarily for cooling
- Lasts for an average of 15–20 years
- Not as efficient as a heat pump
- Ductwork is a necessity for the system
A heat pump is a great choice for both your heating and cooling needs!
From the working principles of heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners to the advantages and disadvantages of each system, the above sections demonstrate that a heat pump has a number of undeniable advantages. This is especially true in terms of energy efficiency, a pleasant indoor climate, excellent air quality and versatility in terms of both heating and cooling. In summary, we can confidently say that a heat pump is the best option for ensuring comfortable and budget-friendly living in any climate.
