These are both ways that you can warm your home. There are differences between the two, but that is the basic thing about them. You can use either one, but one saves you more money than the other.
You can call your HVAC professionals to get more information. They can tell you the differences between heat pumps and furnaces so that you can understand them. It is not that difficult to understand, and they would be happy to tell you.
This article will also tell you about the differences between the two. It will also give you ways to make sure that they are the same. As mentioned above, you can also do more research to find the information that you need.
Heat Pump
A pump is a device that moves the warm air from inside to outside and back again. It is designed to warm and cool your home. It will take warm air from outside and move it to liquid refrigerant.
See here to learn more about how this works. It then is pumped to a heat exchanger or coil inside your home’s ductwork. It does not need to be hot for this to work – it works in below freezing temperatures.
In the summer, a pump does the opposite. It will take the stifling air from your home and cool it so that you have cool air in your home. A furnace does not have this ability.
Furnace
A furnace is a forced air unit that forces warm air through the ducts in your home. These systems use some types of fuel such as fuel oil, gas, propane, or electricity and they heat a burner. A heat exchanger will transfer the warm air from the burner. A large fan will then blow across the exchanger to warm your home.
Your furnace will not work to cool your home in the summer. This is one of the big differences between it and the pump. A furnace is only used for cool weather.
Key Differences
Cost
Heat Pump
For an average of between $3,500 and $4,500, you can have a pump installed. There are many different determining factors that must be considered. There are two different types that must be considered, as well.
An air-to-air pump takes the air from around them and is the simplest and least expensive to buy – they also are less efficient in colder climates. Geothermal types take the warm air from the ground around them through an underground pipe system. They are more expensive due to the drilling that is required.
Furnace
For an average of about $4,000 for an electric furnace, and about $4,500 for a gas furnace, you can have one installed. The most efficient of the two is the gas furnace. However, the cost of getting the pipes put in for this type may be prohibitive.
Efficiency
Heat Pump
These are very efficient in most cases because only a small amount of electricity is used: https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/02/14/1068582/everything-you-need-to-know-about-heat-pumps/. If the climate is too cold, it becomes very inefficient or even insufficient. They are best used in warmer climates.
Furnace
Because they use an energy source to make their own warm air, they can be a little less efficient. The most efficient energy source is gas, but it can also use more energy than a pump. They are also more efficient in colder climates.
Durability
Heat Pump
This type will probably last you about fifteen years. You must do regular maintenance on it, or it will not last that long. Some of the components such as the pumps, refrigerants, or other components may need to be replaced during that time.
Furnace
They can last about twenty years with the right maintenance. This is because they are less complicated than the other. This is what makes them last so much longer.
Ability for DIY
Heat Pump
Some of these can be DIY-friendly, but not all of them. Working with refrigerants requires a special license in most places so you cannot work with that kind. There are ones that are called mini-splits and are not attached to the ductwork.
Furnace
This installation is better left to the experts who know what they are doing. There are many parts to the installation and a DIYer might have difficulty doing all the various parts. You must make sure that the fuel source is hooked up right, as well as the exhaust system.
Maintenance
Heat Pump
This requires more maintenance and must include many steps. This includes keeping the pumps clear of ice and snow in the colder months, removing leaves and debris, changing air filters once a month, and cleaning the coils. Doing these jobs will help it to last longer.
Furnace
These need less maintenance to last as long. You should change the filters on a regular basis and clean the flame sensor once a year. This will help your furnace to last longer.
Conclusion
Furnaces and pumps are similar in that they can both warm your home. The similarities end there, though. They work differently and must be hooked up differently.
