Winter’s just around the corner, leaving many Texas homeowners with big decisions about their heating options. Would a reliable furnace be the best heating investment, or would a heat pump be a better fit for your Texas energy needs?
Since homes can be as different as homeowners themselves, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The facts below can help you decide which factors matter most to you for your home heating and help steer you toward the best choice for your home.
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The Difference Between Heat Pumps and Furnaces
Heat pumps and furnaces rely on different technologies when warming your home. Furnaces draw in cool air, heat that air, and redistribute it throughout your home via ducts. Heat pumps gather heat from various sources, including the ground or outside air, and pump it over a heat exchange surface. Heat pumps also have cooling functions for warmer months, using refrigerant to heat or cool your home at various times of the year.
Benefits of Furnaces
Often the go-to example of home heating, furnaces come with several time-tested advantages. Benefits of furnaces for Texas homeowners include:
- Heating Power: If you’re looking for a strong heater that warms your home fast, it’s hard to beat a furnace.
- Lifespan: With regular maintenance, a furnace is designed to serve your home for 15 to 20 years, outlasting most heat pumps.
- Dependability: The mechanical simplicity of furnaces reduces the chance of breakdowns and the frequency of repairs.
- Installation Cost: The process of getting started with a furnace generally requires a smaller upfront cost than a heat pump.
Benefits of Heat Pumps
A heat pump is also a great choice for many Texas homes. The benefits of installing a heat pump include:
- Dual heating and cooling: Heat pumps provide warmth in the winter and air conditioning in the summer, simplifying your home’s HVAC system and offering year-round comfort.
- Lower utility costs: Heat pumps operate with greater energy efficiency, which translates to monthly utilities savings, particularly in areas with milder winters.
- Air quality and safety: By avoiding combustion-based heating, heat pumps carry no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and are less apt to contribute to air dryness and respiratory irritation than furnaces.
- Environmental protection: The superior energy efficiency of heat pumps makes them an especially attractive choice for households working to protect the environment and reduce their carbon footprint.
Which Is Right for Your Home?
How do you sift through the strengths of each heating system to decide which one is right for your particular home? One question to ask yourself is what upfront cost you can handle, as heat pumps, even with their utility savings over time, do take a larger initial investment. The precise location and heating needs of your home are another important consideration.
With typically milder winters, many Texas homes may be better served by a heat pump, but those in colder areas in the northern part of the state or who prefer to keep their homes extra warm may favor a furnace. The condition of your AC system may impact whether a heat pump’s dual heating and cooling functions are a desired option, and your access to natural gas may impact whether a furnace is practical. Your home size, air quality, and layout will also play a role in your decision.
Choose MHC Air Services for Heating Installation and Repair
Whether you’ve already found the best heating system for you or need professional guidance as you weigh your options, the NATE-certified technicians at MHC Air Services are here for you. Family-owned and -operated since 1976, we understand that the needs of every home and homeowner are unique. When you are ready to install, we offer meticulous service to the highest safety standards, with 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
Install the perfect heater for your home with trained experts! Contact us today.