{"id":972,"date":"2023-09-25T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jmsacandheating.com\/blog\/?p=972"},"modified":"2026-06-30T08:21:52","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T12:21:52","slug":"should-i-get-a-heat-pump-or-a-furnace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jmsacandheating.com\/blog\/heating-service\/should-i-get-a-heat-pump-or-a-furnace\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Get a Heat Pump or a Furnace?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you’re shopping around for a furnace replacement<\/a>, you may be considering a heat pump in place of your existing furnace. How do you know which system is right for your home and family? Just because a furnace has served you well in the past doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s the absolute best option available. A heat pump may be better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bottom line is that you have to make the decision that’s right for your home and family. Both heat pumps and furnaces each have their own unique pros and cons. You can keep reading to learn more about the benefits of heat pumps and furnaces, as well as some of the potential downsides that you also need to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Pros and Cons of a Heat Pump<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heat pumps are an increasingly preferred system among homeowners. These unique HVAC systems offer both heating and cooling all in one, functioning as an air conditioning system and working like an air conditioner in warm weather. When it comes to heating your home, understanding how heat pump work is simple: rather than using heating elements or gas burners like a more traditional furnace, a heat pump uses electricity and refrigerant to move heat energy from outside air into your home rather than generate heat through combustion, and in warmer months it reverses that cycle to move warm air out as a cooling system.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a much safer way to heat a home. Heat pumps produce no carbon emissions during operation and also avoid the carbon monoxide risk associated with gas heating. Their energy efficiency can also help cut utility bills, lower energy bills, and deliver lower energy costs, with some energy efficient models able to reach up to 300% efficiency, run about 300-400% more efficiently than gas furnaces, and reduce heating energy use by up to 75% compared with electric resistance heating. In some climates, on the coldest days of winter, a heat pump may not efficiently heat a home, though some models can operate efficiently at lower temperatures. But that’s not something that we need to worry about here in California where temperatures rarely drop that low,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another advantage of heat pumps is that they come in mini split systems. These consist of multiple air handlers that are mounted to the walls of the rooms in your home. This setup provides amazing customization that’s highly beneficial to households where family members range from feeling too hot to too cold. Ductless mini-split systems are well suited for rooms that lack ductwork or homes without existing ductwork, and they can also help improve indoor air through filtration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros and Cons of a Furnace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Furnaces are great because they provide consistent heating for your home all season long, no matter how cold it gets outside. By contrast, an air-source heat pump system is the most common and affordable option for homes, especially in moderate climates, and its outdoor unit works much like an ac unit in cooling mode. During summer, it can also operate as a central air conditioner for whole-home cooling. Some homeowners upgrading from a furnace choose a new system for year-round heating and cooling instead of separate equipment. A geothermal unit is a less common alternative that uses underground pipes to exchange heat with the ground. When it comes to a furnace, you have the option to choose between a gas or electric unit. A gas furnace uses a pilot light to ignite a flame and heat air in the combustion chamber to then transfer through the rest of the system into your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An electric furnace uses heating elements to heat the air and then blow into your home. Both of these types of furnaces are completely safe to use, however they do pose slightly higher risks compared to a heat pump. Keep in mind that as long as you have your heater maintained regularly, you should never have any problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter what type of heater you have in your home, you should always have smoke alarms installed. Having a gas furnace means that you also need to have carbon monoxide detectors in case there is a gas leak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost Considerations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heat pumps usually have higher upfront costs, and a new heat pump system typically runs about $7,000 to $10,000, so get quotes from hvac contractors or a reputable hvac company to compare equipment options, check efficiency ratings, and choose the right system; a professional should also install it properly for performance and longevity. Federal, local, and high-efficiency state incentives can lower the initial price, and rebates may offset heat pump installation costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proper sizing is crucial to avoid costly breakdowns, so choosing an experienced contractor who follows local codes and uses a Manual J Load Calculation based on square footage, ceiling height, existing ducts, humidity, and outdoor temperature helps the unit perform efficiently and last longer. If old ductwork is leaking or inefficient, have it inspected and sealed; for homes without usable ducts, ductless mini-split options or a split system heat pump that connects outdoor and indoor units can be a better fit. Package units are another option, and packaged heat pumps combine all components in one unit, which can be practical for smaller homes or certain layouts. When replacing an old system, the installer may need to safely remove refrigerant, verify whether older panels need electrical upgrades or a dedicated circuit, and complete site preparation before setting the new heat pump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a typical split system setup, the outdoor unit connects to an air handler and indoor evaporator coil through refrigerant lines, while the reversing valve switches between heating and cooling and the thermostat controls operation. The outdoor section should be set on a composite pad and elevated about 9 inches above ground. Depending on the job, heat pump installation can take about eight hours for simpler work or one to three days overall, with commissioning, calibration, and startup checks often taking 45 minutes to 2 hours. Some buyers also compare features like quiet operation, and while certain brands may come from the same company, installation quality and specifications matter more than branding alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JMS Air Conditioning and Heating has your back. Call us today to schedule an appointment<\/a> for a furnace replacement in Glendale, CA!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Learn more about the benefits of heat pumps and furnaces, as well as some of the potential downsides that you also need to consider.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[76],"tags":[6],"class_list":["post-972","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-heating-service","tag-heating"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jmsacandheating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/972","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jmsacandheating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jmsacandheating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jmsacandheating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jmsacandheating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=972"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.jmsacandheating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/972\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1550,"href":"https:\/\/www.jmsacandheating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/972\/revisions\/1550"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jmsacandheating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=972"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jmsacandheating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=972"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jmsacandheating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=972"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}