If the time has arrived to replace the furnace in your Lenexa, KS, home, finding the right heating system for your home is essential. Heat pumps have become an increasingly popular option for homeowners, but the question is this type of system right for your needs? Read on to learn more about the differences between a heat pump and furnace.
How Furnaces Work
Most consumers are familiar with furnaces as these HVAC systems generate heat warmed by gas, oil or electricity and then use a blower to circulate it into your home. Furnaces are a good choice if you have a natural gas line running into your home and already have a central air conditioning system installed.
How Heat Pumps Work
Heat pumps don’t use heat sources or generate heat; instead, they mostly rely on electricity and refrigerant to extract heat from outdoor air to blow into your home. Heat pumps have another advantage in that they also work in reverse; by simply flipping a switch, the heat pump can provide the refrigerated air from the condensate instead of the heated air. A heat pump is a great option if you only want to have one type of HVAC system to control your home’s comfort.
Which is More Energy Efficient?
Although the efficiency of residential furnaces has increased greatly in the last decade, heat pumps only use one source of energy, namely electricity. Heat pumps can have an energy efficiency of up to 300% as opposed to 95% for the most efficient furnaces. In most cases, you’ll see your utility bills drop.
Which Should I Buy?
The answer depends on your needs and budget. If you recently replaced your air conditioning system, you may want to stay with a furnace as these are generally less expensive than heat pumps. The opposite isn’t always true, though, because heat pumps can work in tandem with an existing furnace to provide a less expensive source of electric heat as described above.
Contact Air-Pro Comfort Systems for heat pump and furnace installation along with a variety of other HVAC services. We offer consultations on what kind of system makes the most sense for your home and budget.
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