When the cold Oregon winter sets in, you need a reliable heating system to keep your family comfortable and your home safe. Two of the more popular options today are heat pumps and furnaces. We’ll compare and contrast these two heating system options so that you can choose the appropriate one to meet your unique needs.
Furnaces vs. Heat Pumps
Before we dive into comparing and contrasting these different types of heating systems, let’s define what each one is. A furnace can run on one of four different types of energy: natural gas, propane, heating oil, and electricity. Furnaces that run solely on electricity have an internal heating element that warms the air as it travels through your ducting.
Other furnaces burn gas or oil to generate heat. The heat produced from burning those fuels gets transferred into the air in your ducting through a heat exchanger. Furnaces that burn fuel generate toxic exhaust fumes as a byproduct of the combustion process. These require adequate venting to the outdoors, typically through a chimney or similar setup, for optimal home safety.
Unlike furnaces, heat pumps don’t generate heat. Instead, they transfer heat from one location to another. In winter, they extract heat from the air outside and bring it into your home. In summer, they extract heat from the air inside your home and transport it outside. Heat pumps work with a substance called refrigerant that absorbs heat from the air.
Standard heat pumps operate with traditional ducting to deliver hot air throughout the various rooms in your home. Ductless mini-split heat pumps use multiple indoor air handler units to deliver temperature-controlled air. With a ductless system, you can set each indoor air handler unit at different temperatures depending on your unique needs. Both standard and ductless mini-split heat pumps run solely on electricity.
Operating Performance
One key factor to assess when making your ultimate purchasing decision is the operating efficiency of the potential heating system. The more efficient the heating system is, the less energy it will consume. This translates to lower operating costs for more efficient heating units. Heat pumps operate at efficiency levels well above 100%.
In fact, some heat pumps can operate between 300% and 400% efficiency. This means that for every unit of energy input, these systems produce three to four units of heat. Furnaces can have varying operating efficiencies depending on the type of fuel they use. Furnaces that run solely on electricity will operate at 100%.
Furnaces that burn fuel to create heat fall into two separate categories, which are standard-efficiency and high-efficiency models. In general, standard-efficiency furnaces operate at 80% to 89%, while high-efficiency units can operate between 90% and 98%. You can determine a furnace’s operating efficiency by looking at its annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. The higher the rating, the higher the operating efficiency.
Climate Suitability
It’s important to make a clear distinction between the consistency in performance of a heat pump vs. that of a furnace. Furnaces provide consistent performance regardless of the outside ambient temperatures. Because heat pumps rely on extracting heat from the outside air, their performance can change depending on the outside temperature.
Standard heat pumps typically struggle to remove heat from the air outside when temperatures are below freezing. Newer cold-climate heat pumps have integrated technology that allows these appliances to operate efficiently down to around -20°F. Cold-climate heat pumps come at a premium price compared to their standard counterparts.
Furnaces and cold-climate heat pumps are a popular option for homeowners who live in colder inland regions and have high heating demands. Homeowners who live in coastal Coos Bay experience milder winter temperatures, so a standard heat pump can operate just fine. These high-efficiency units cost less to run and can produce the same amount of heat as a furnace, given the milder conditions.
Associated Costs
Another major factor that will play a key role in your overall decision of what heating system to purchase is its up-front cost. Generally speaking, heat pumps come at a premium price compared to traditional furnaces. However, keep in mind that heat pumps provide both heating and cooling for all year-round comfort.
If you purchase a furnace, you’ll need to add a separate home air conditioning system to gain the same level of comfort throughout the entire year. Cold-climate heat pumps cost more up front than furnaces or standard heat pumps. In general, electric furnaces tend to be the cheapest furnaces on the market, followed by gas and then oil-burning furnaces.
Another type of cost you’ll need to consider is the operating cost associated with a prospective heating system. While some heating systems may be cheaper to purchase than others, their operating costs can ultimately make them more expensive over the long term. For example, an electric furnace is less expensive than a natural gas furnace.
However, it will cost significantly more to keep your home at the same temperature because electricity costs much more than natural gas. It’s necessary to consider the energy and fuel input costs for your specific area when making your purchasing decision.
Coos Bay Recommendation
If you live in the coastal region of Coos Bay, a standard heat pump is likely your best option. This is assuming your home is reasonably insulated, and you’ll be experiencing fairly mild winter conditions. This offers high operating efficiency and gives you the benefit of home cooling during the summer without having to purchase a separate HVAC system.
If your home already has ductwork, a standard heat pump will work just fine. However, if not, then going with a ductless mini-split system is the better choice. It offers a minimally invasive way to provide heating and cooling for your home and comes with the benefit of zone temperature control.
Roseburg Recommendation
There’s no doubt that the winters in inland Roseburg can be more demanding, as they provide more temperature swings than coastal Coos Bay. This limits your feasible options to a furnace or cold-climate heat pump. A standard heat pump will not work well in this climate, as it will struggle to transfer heat when temperatures drop below freezing.
The particular heating system you choose depends on your budget, fuel cost, and other preferences. If you’re looking to purchase a single system for home heating and cooling, then a cold-climate heat pump is the way to go. If you’re a budget-conscious homeowner who’s looking for a reliable heating system, choosing a gas furnace may be your best bet. Natural gas is one of the cheapest fuels available.
Expert Heating Installation Service
Addcox Heating Center offers expert heating installation service for Coos Bay and Roseburg, OR homes. We also provide heating repairs, maintenance, and replacement services for all area customers.
Call our office today to book your next heating system consultation with one of our helpful technicians.
