Heat Pump Vs. Furnaces For Heating

In general, American homeowners heat their dwellings with a heat pump or a forced-air furnace. Both heating units work reliably and effectively. However, heating pumps and furnaces operate differently; hence you should refer to a comparative buying guide for furnaces and heat pumps before making your purchase. Householders who invest in energy-efficient central heating systems lower annual energy consumption to save on annual energy bills. In this article, we will discuss heating pumps and furnaces.

Sizing and Choosing Furnaces and Heating Pumps

• A reputable heating and cooling contractor will tell you how to size a furnace – Some homeowners prefer to use an online furnace sizing calculator
• Locate a residential heat pump sizing calculation tool to help you with your heat pump sizing or contact reliable local heat pump installers

Find the Most Efficient Way to Heat the Home

Furnaces are powered in various ways including:

• Electricity
• Oil
• Natural gas
• Propane
• Bio-diesel heating is becoming popular and the alternative fuel is said to reduce air pollution.

Heating pumps are powered by electricity. Popular home heating devices, including the air source heat pumps can be used to cool or heat the indoor air.

How Furnaces and Heating Pumps Operate

A thermostatically controlled furnace will switch on and off as and when the indoor temperature changes. Heating pumps cool and heat homes by catching and transferring newly conditioned air.

Furnaces and Heat Pumps are Highly Efficient Forms of Heating

Both are cost effective and energy efficient. However, in general, electric or fuel-based furnaces are not quite as economical or efficient as heating pumps. A 90% AFUE High-efficiency furnace is an energy-saving device. High-efficiency heat pumps have an HSPF of 8.2.

Here are Some Ways to Boost Furnace Efficiency:

• Install a variable speed air handler
• Fit an electronic ignition
• Install a dual fan heat exchanger

Ways to Increase Heat Pump Efficiency

• Fit a two-stage thermostat
• Source a variable speed compressor

This article is about heat pumps and furnaces. Some say, heat pumps are not as efficient in freezing weather, whereas the traditional furnace will operate in the coldest of weather. We hope the information supplied helps you to decide between a heat pump and a furnace. Contact an HVAC professional if you are still undecided. We have written numerous articles to help you keep your heating and cooling system running efficiently this winter, so please take time to read them.