Furnace vs. Heat Pump: Which Should You Choose?

When the time comes to replace your old furnace, you can always choose a similar model or instead decide to install your first heat pump, a device that can offer better efficiency for the home.

That said, enhanced efficiency isn’t something that a heat pump can guarantee for every household, so comparing furnaces and heat pumps will help you choose the best option for your home.

Know How Each System Generates Heat

When comparing furnace & heat pumps in Morris, IL, it’s necessary to know how each unit generates heat. A traditional furnace requires a burning fuel source to create heat. The problem is that a natural gas or carbon monoxide leak can arise without proper maintenance, developing health and safety hazards in your home.

Alternatively, a heat pump does not use flammable fuel to generate heat, and even though the unit uses electricity to draw outside heat into your home, it doesn’t use an additional source of fuel, so it’s considered to be a highly energy-efficient heating system that will lower your home’s carbon footprint and total energy usage. 

Determine the Heating Needs in Your Climate

As you decide between a furnace & heat pumps in Morris, IL, you’ll want to find a system that will effectively heat your home. In moderate climates, a heat pump can heat your home without wasting energy; that said, as temperatures drop below five degrees in the winter in the Morris area, the heat pump will start to lose efficiency. 

In such frigid temperatures, a traditional furnace will function more reliably; even in households that primarily use heat pumps, there’s usually a furnace in place to serve as a supplementary or backup heat source.

Consider Humidity Differences Between a Furnace & Heat Pumps in Morris, IL

When you use your furnace, you probably run a humidifier at the same time, as the heat that is generated through the combustion of fuel absorbs moisture. The air is hotter and dry, leading to leathery skin, brittle hair, dry sinuses, and irritated eyes, all of which a humidifier combats.

A heat pump provides a cleaner heat source, further improving indoor air quality. The heated air isn’t as hot and dry as the air your furnace produces. Humidity is rarely a problem when using a heat pump in winter when the home’s windows remain closed. 

We’ll Help You Keep Your Home Warm

EZ Air provides furnace and heat pump installation services. Even after we install the new unit, we’ll provide the maintenance and repairs you need to protect the efficiency and durability of the new heating equipment. Get started by requesting a free estimate today.