Do you need expert guidance about getting the right heating solution for your home? Call BVS to schedule a consultation today!
Should I replace my gas furnace with a heat pump? That’s a common question we hear at BVS as more people explore ways to lower their energy consumption and carbon footprint while staying comfortable throughout the winter. Typically, a gas furnace to heat pump conversion is on their minds, but is this change worth the effort?
If you’re looking at a gas furnace or heat pump, Houston’s trusted heat pump installation experts from BVS provide the guidance you need below.
What Is the Primary Difference Between a Furnace and a Heat Pump?
To make the right choice about replacing a heating system, you need to know how a furnace compares to a heat pump in terms of function, fuel, and technology.
The first notable feature of a furnace would be its burners, which are inside the cabinet. The unit uses a power source to ignite these burners and heat up the heat exchanger. Then, the blower system spreads the resulting warmth via the air duct.
On the other hand, if you’re thinking of installing a heat pump, you’ll have an air conditioner, a heating system, a dehumidifier, and an air filter, all in one unit. As novel as this heat pump technology may sound, it’s been around for decades. The technology is only slightly different from what you have in your typical air conditioner or refrigerator.
However, a heat pump doesn’t generate heat at all. Instead, it moves heat into or out of your space (a heat transfer in the truest sense). For example, in the winter, the heat pump moves heat from the outdoors into your home but reverses the process in the summer.
The Pros and Cons of Furnaces
Should I replace my gas furnace with a heat pump? You need to know the pros and cons of each one.
A furnace gives you the following:
The Advantages of a Furnace System
- The upfront installation cost of a furnace is cheaper.
- Well-maintained furnace systems heat a home almost immediately.
- Furnace systems are widespread and easy to use.
- The heat from furnace systems may feel cozier.
The Disadvantages of a Furnace System
- Furnaces are up to three times less efficient than heat pumps.
- A furnace requires installing and maintaining ductwork.
- A furnace might be louder.
- Furnaces require more regular maintenance to prevent fires.
- If you have a furnace, you need to install and maintain an air conditioner to stay cool in the summertime.
- Some furnace fuel sources negatively affect your home’s indoor air quality.
The Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps
What will you get from installing a heat pump? Here are a few considerations:
The Advantages of a Heat Pump System
- Heat pumps combine all the functions of various HVAC systems in one unit.
- Heat pumps are easier to maintain and don’t require ducts.
- The lifetime cost of running a heat pump makes it the cheapest HVAC system to run.
- Homeowners who switch to a heat pump can enjoy various rebates.
- Heat pumps are better for the environment (they don’t burn fossil fuels).
- Heat pumps offer whole-home systems or mini-splits (for specific rooms).
- Heat pumps guarantee near-noiseless operation.
The Disadvantages of a Heat Pump System
- Homeowners in colder regions (not a concern for Texans!) sometimes need to combine heat pumps with stronger heating systems.
- The upfront installation costs can discourage people from making the switch.
Should I Replace My Gas Furnace With a Heat Pump?
Looking at what’s on offer, switching to a heat pump is always the right choice. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to HVAC systems, so experts like BVS encourage every property owner to carefully weigh the considerations for the furnace-to-heat pump switch.
Stick to a furnace if one or more of the following apply in your situation:
- You already have a high-efficiency furnace with a few years left on the clock.
- The upfront installation cost of installing a new heat pump (after factoring in all the incentives you qualify for) is too high.
- Your ductwork is in excellent shape (no leaks).
- You don’t have any complaints about your indoor air quality.
- You already have an efficient air conditioning system and don’t need a unit that combines heating and cooling.
- You don’t mind a slightly less efficient HVAC system.
If you’re still asking, “Should I replace my gas furnace with a heat pump?” consider whether one or more of the following factors is in play:
- You want the most efficient HVAC system available and can manage upfront costs.
- You want to hand over all your HVAC needs to one system.
- You are tired of worrying about unstable fuel prices.
- Your ductwork needs extensive repairs or a complete replacement.
- Your furnace no longer heats your space evenly.
- You want more granular control over the temperature in various rooms.
- You want to vastly improve the air quality around your home.
The Right Choice: Converting a Heating System to a Heat Pump Is Easy With a Leading HVAC Contractor in Texas
After years of working with homeowners across Texas, the BVS team can authoritatively share that upgrading to a heat pump from a gas furnace is almost always a net positive. However, working with experienced professionals who will provide you with personalized guidance should make things clearer. Why not look to BVS’s extensive experience in HVAC systems?
If you’re wondering, “Should I replace my gas furnace with a heat pump?” contact our local experts to book a consultation. Our technicians will ask all the right questions to help you make the most cost-effective decision for your space. If you decide to switch to a heat pump, we’ll go over the different types of heat pumps with you, conduct a flawless installation, and repair and maintain the system, too!
Don’t wait; call the BVS home experts in Houston, Texas, at 281-916-8699 today! You can enjoy all the advantages of replacing a gas furnace with a heat pump or avoid spending money on a replacement you don’t need.
