Should You Go With a Heat Pump or Gas Furnace?
Winters in the Waterford and Oxford, Michigan areas range from cold to downright frigid. Whatever heat source they choose for their home comfort system, the main concerns for most homeowners are staying warm and cozy all winter long. But the real question is, what heat source are they using? And what’s better about a heat pump vs. a gas furnace and vice versa?
Whether you choose a heat pump or a gas furnace, to have the highest level of comfort, the unit you select must be the right size and type for the layout and design of your home. The unit must also have the appropriate power source available. A gas furnace requires either natural or liquid propane (LP) gas, while a heat pump runs by electricity. A Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing Comfort Specialist has the expertise and tools to properly evaluate your home and provide options that meet your needs and budget.
Consider These Advantages & Disadvantages When Choosing Between a Heat Pump or Gas Furnace
Heat Pumps are quite popular among contractors when building new homes. One downside to using heat pumps for home heating in the Michigan area used to be their propensity toward inefficiency when the temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. However, recent technological advances have made cold weather heat pumps a viable choice nationwide. They’ve even been tested in the Arctic with great success!
Versatility is always a big plus. Since heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, they score big in this area. One unit can keep you comfortable all year long. A downside to that is that because heat pumps provide comfort in every season, their constant use shortens their lifespan. Even with regular maintenance, the average heat pump lasts about 12 to 15 years.
As stated earlier, heat pumps run off of electricity. This makes heat pumps a cleaner heat source than that generated from fossil fuels. Being powered by electricity may also be a disadvantage, since electricity tends to be a more expensive energy source.
A big plus for many homeowners is the affordability of heat pumps vs. gas furnaces due to their lower installation costs. This makes the overall return on investment with heat pumps higher than most gas furnaces.
Gas furnaces powered by natural gas are highly efficient. Liquid propane is usually more expensive but still less than the cost of electricity when it comes to heating a home. Gas furnaces are more complex causing the upfront installation costs to be higher, but because they provide heat only, and are used only a portion of the year, gas furnaces require less maintenance and usually have a higher lifespan.
Because gas is a fossil fuel, it releases more contaminants into the air when operating. This fact may make a difference for some homeowners when choosing which type of heating source they prefer in their Waterford area home.
When it’s time for heating system maintenance, a heating repair or a complete system replacement, Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing can handle any challenge or concern you may have. Call Kotz today.
