A heating system is a vital component of any home, and getting the right one for your needs is vital. There are two main types of heating systems: furnaces and heat pumps. There are different furnaces, such as gas and oil, but they all work similarly.
Read more: What Are the Types of Furnaces?
Heat pumps and furnaces have their benefits, so it's essential to weigh your options before deciding. Read on to understand the critical differences between these two heating systems.
What Are Heat Pumps?
A heat pump is a crucial device that uses energy to move heat from one place to another. Heat pumps are often used to draw heat from the air or ground to heat a home or office, but they can also be used to cool a space by reversing the process.
During winter, a heat pump draws heat from the outdoors and transfers it indoors. This process is similar to how a refrigerator keeps food cold by drawing heat from the fridge and transferring it to the surrounding room.
In the summer, a heat pump reverses this process and moves heat from inside your home to the outdoors. This helps to keep your home cool and comfortable.
There are two types of heat pumps: air source and ground source. Air source ones draw heat from the air outside and use it to heat your home. Ground source heat pumps get heat from the ground, a more consistent temperature than the air. Ground source heat pumps are costlier to install, but they are efficient and can be used in colder climates.
What Is a Furnace?
A furnace is a system that uses natural gas, propane, oil, or electricity to heat your home. The heat from the furnace is distributed through ductwork and then circulated by a blower motor throughout your home.
How To Choose the Right Heat Pump or Furnace?
1) Climatic Conditions
First, you need to take a step back and understand the climate where you live. Are you in an area with long, cold winters? Or do you experience freezing temperatures only a few days each year? How much heat does your home lose during the winter? All these factors are essential in deciding whether a heat pump or furnace would be a better option for you.
2) Air Quality
The quality of the air in a home can have an impact on your health. Poor air quality can cause respiratory problems, allergies, and other health issues.
Regarding air quality, heat pumps and furnaces are about equal. Both systems will circulate the air in your home and filter out pollutants. However, if you have a furnace, you may want to consider adding an air purifier to your system to further improve the air quality in your home.
3) Operating Costs
Heat pumps are more expensive to install than furnaces, but they tend to be cheaper to operate. This is because heat pumps don't generate heat - they move it from one place to another. As a result, they use less energy than furnaces, which have to generate heat through combustion.
Contact Moncrief in Atlanta for HVAC service. We provide heat pump and furnace installation, repair, and maintenance services.