Should You Get a Furnace or a Heat Pump?

February 10, 2023

Furnace in Show Low, AZ

If it’s time to invest in a new heating system for your home, you have many options. Some of the most common ones that you may run into are a furnace and a heat pump. Understanding the differences between the two can help you to determine which one will be the best option for your home.

How Do They Function?

One of the first differences that you’ll want to know between a furnace and a heat pump is how each one of them functions. A furnace will utilize an independent fuel source to create combustion to heat your home. This could be propane, natural gas, or heating oil.

When it comes to a heat pump, its operation is much different. A heat pump is simply a heat transfer system. It will transfer heat that it finds in the air outside to the inside of your home. Since a heat pump is not actually creating heat but rather transporting it, it uses much less energy than a furnace. This means that your operating cost will be much cheaper.

Auxiliary Heating Mode

The climate that you regularly experience in the wintertime is going to play a big role in how energy efficient your heat pump is. When temperatures dip down below freezing, your heat pump will struggle to remove heat from the outdoors. It will switch over to auxiliary heating mode, where it will use electricity to heat up an internal element. When your heat pump is in auxiliary mode, it will be using more energy than a traditional furnace will to heat your home. If you live in an area of the country that regularly experiences below-freezing temperatures, you’re typically better off investing in a furnace to heat your home as it will be more cost-effective.

Reliable Heating Services in Show Low, AZ

Rim Country Mechanical, Inc. provides reliable heating services for Show Low, AZ and the surrounding regions. We can also assist with all of your cooling, indoor air quality, ductless mini-split, inspection, commercial, and refrigeration needs. Give us a call today to get an appointment scheduled with one of our helpful HVAC technicians.