In our area of Southwest Virginia, heating systems are an integral part of the home. They keep your home warm and comfortable, and also have a direct impact on your energy bills for half of the year. Deciding what kind of HVAC system you are going to choose to heat your home is important. In our area, heat pumps and furnaces are two of the most popular heating systems for home and businesses.
We’ve been working in the area for 15+ years, installing furnaces and heat pumps alike. We know not every home is the same, and each one has its own unique needs. In this article, we’re going to talk about the difference between using a furnace to heat your home and a heat pump.
If you think your home is due for a comfort upgrade, be it heating or cooling, give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online. Our experts would be happy to help you out with your home comfort needs!
As we said, in our area of Virginia, both heat pumps and furnaces are both very popular. They are both reliable systems that can keep a home comfortable in our climate. It gets cold here, but it’s not the arctic, and both systems are suited to handle the cold we experience.
Here is how each system works:
A furnace generates heat by burning fuel (most commonly natural gas or propane) or by using electricity. More commonly, we see fuel burning furnaces. Once heat is created, a blower fan pushes that warm air through your ductwork and into each room of your home. We have a lot of gas and oil burning furnaces in our area of Virginia and Tennessee.
Key points about furnaces:
Furnaces are especially effective during very cold weather because their heat output does not depend on outdoor temperatures, like a heat pump does. These systems generate their own heat, which can be a benefit, and also a drawback in some cases. More on that later. Still, this ability to generate heat independently makes for quick, dependable heating.
A heat pump works differently than a furnace. Instead of creating heat, a heat pump moves heat. Even when it’s cold outside, there is still heat energy in the air. A heat pump pulls that heat from outside and transfers it indoors. In the summer, the process reverses, allowing the system to cool your home.
Key points about heat pumps:
Modern cold-climate heat pumps are well-suited for Southwest Virginia and can operate efficiently even when outdoor temperatures drop into the teens. In the past, heat pumps had a hard time handling frigid temperatures, and wouldn’t be able to produce enough heat to keep certain climates comfortable. Today, the advanced heat pump technology accommodates weather like the kind we see here in Virginia and Tennessee.
Furnaces have been a trusted heating solution for decades, and for good reason. The fact that these systems don’t depend on sourcing heat from the cold outside gives them a quicker ability to heat, and when the temps really drop, this dependable heating may be a comfort compared to heat pumps.
Benefits include:
If you want powerful heat that feels warm right away—especially during the coldest winter nights—a furnace can be a great choice.
A furnace is dependable, but not always perfect. Here are some of the cons to using a furnace:
Heat pumps have become increasingly popular as technology has improved and energy costs have changed. In fact, many energy providers, heat pump manufacturers, and even government programs will provide financial incentives when you install a heat pump for your home.
Benefits include:
For homeowners looking to reduce energy usage and future-proof their home, heat pumps are often an excellent investment. These systems are environmentally friendly, and energy efficient. They’ve become the preferred choice to install for our team here at Complete Comfort in the past 5 years.
Read More: Replacing A Heat Pump In Damascus, VA
Every home is unique, and not every system may be perfect for every home. The best heating system depends on several factors:
In many cases, we recommend a heat pump. The energy savings and flexibility to provide both heating and cooling are huge benefits that most of our customers prefer. We also install dual-fuel systems, which pair a heat pump with a furnace—giving you efficiency during mild weather and powerful heat when temperatures drop.
We’ve been serving Southwest Virginia for over 15 years, and we are starting to work in Northeastern Tennessee as well. We know that no two homes are the same, and make sure that our customers are taken care of individually. If you’re considering upgrading your heating system or replacing an older unit, we’d be happy to help you explore your options.
Call us at (276) 690-9222 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Our comfort experts will help you choose the system that’s right for your home!
