Here in Dallas, OR, we’re fortunate to experience relatively mild winters compared to areas further North. However, homes here still need reliable heating systems. The good news is that there’s no shortage of options. For most homeowners, the choice comes down to two systems: heat pumps or gas furnaces. They each have strengths and weaknesses worth knowing about. Here’s a guide to choosing between heat pumps and furnaces for homeowners in Dallas.
Why You Should Consider a Heat Pump
Most experts consider heat pump technology to be the heir apparent to gas furnaces. The reason for that is simple. Heat pumps don’t use energy to make heat. Instead, they harvest heat energy from the outdoor environment and use it to warm indoor spaces. For the uninitiated, that claim often sounds like it borders on lunacy, as some wonder how you can collect heat from cold air.
Heat pumps pull off that very nifty trick using some simple science and some clever engineering. The first thing to know is that heat pumps rely on the very same refrigeration cycle that conventional air conditioners do. The difference is that they run that cycle in reverse. Ordinary ACs manipulate the pressure, state, and temperature of a refrigerant to function. They begin by sending low-pressure, cold liquid refrigerant indoors to extract heat from indoor air. Eventually, when the refrigerant absorbs enough heat, it boils into a warm gas. Then the AC increases the pressure, and therefore the temperature of the gas. That makes it hotter than the outdoor air, facilitating the release of the collected heat outside.
In a heat pump, the same thing happens, but with the frigid liquid refrigerant starting outside. There, in the outdoor unit, it warms up by pulling heat energy from the relatively warmer outdoor air. Thereafter, the refrigeration cycle mirrors that of an AC, except with the collected heat ending up in your indoor air. Critically, this mode of operation works most efficiently in areas where temperatures rarely drop below freezing, just like ours.
Here in Dallas, heat pumps can often operate at energy efficiencies approaching 400%, in both heating and cooling modes. That hints at another reason to consider one. Heat pumps also serve as cooling systems in hot weather. They’re so effective and efficient that most homes reduce their heating and cooling costs by using one. They’re also an all-electric heating solution, which is ideal for homes transitioning to full electrification. And, heat pumps, when paired with green energy sources like wind or solar, can dramatically reduce a home’s carbon footprint.
Do Heat Pumps Have Disadvantages?
Heat pumps do have a few disadvantages worth noting. One is a lack of efficiency in extreme cold. The average heat pump drops to efficiency parity with the average gas furnace at approximately 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Below that, however, a conventional heat pump often resorts to a backup heat source to provide sufficient heat. That source is usually electric resistance heat strips. Therefore, prolonged sub-freezing weather can result in significant spikes in electricity bills.
Heat pumps are also far more expensive than the average gas furnace. You can expect to pay roughly double for one. However, that makes a bit more sense when you consider that you also get a cooling system for that price. It’s also worth noting that the average heat pump only lasts around 15 years. That’s shorter than the lifespan of a typical gas furnace.
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Why You Should Consider a Gas Furnace
Gas furnaces are far and away the most popular type of heating system in the US. That’s not an accident. One of the biggest reasons to consider a gas furnace is the fact that natural gas is plentiful and therefore cheap. For that reason, natural gas furnaces offer one of the most inexpensive ways to heat a home. They’re also very reliable and long-lasting, with most models lasting up to 20 years with regular maintenance.
Homeowners also love gas furnaces because they excel at quickly raising indoor temperatures. On freezing days and nights, that means you can make fast adjustments to meet your comfort needs. Perhaps best of all, gas furnaces are so ubiquitous that they don’t cost very much. Multiple manufacturers supply quality gas furnaces, and replacement parts are always available.
There are also plenty of options available at various efficiency levels. Minimally-efficient gas furnaces operate at approximately 81% efficiency. However, you can find advanced condensing furnaces with multi-stage blowers that hit 98.5% efficiency. In either case, the low cost of the fuel ensures manageable heating costs.
Do Gas Furnaces Have Disadvantages?
Of course, gas furnaces aren’t perfect. They rely on the combustion process to generate heat, which means they emit environmentally harmful exhaust gases. Those include significant quantities of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. As a result, operating gas furnaces contributes to climate change and can have adverse effects on air quality.
Gas furnaces also come with some operational risks. Although modern versions are overwhelmingly safe, there’s always a risk of fire while using one. Additionally, gas furnaces come with the risk of sending carbon monoxide into your home. It’s a colorless and odorless combustion byproduct that’s fatal in sufficient concentrations. That’s why it’s critical to maintain working carbon monoxide detectors if you have a gas furnace.
Lastly, gas furnaces require a ready supply of natural gas to function. If your home doesn’t have an existing supply hookup, that can add to your installation costs. Additionally, Oregon, along with other states, is pursuing measures to discourage or limit new natural gas connections. Therefore, it’s now probably a matter of time before new gas appliances won’t be an option here. In other words, you may pay for a natural gas connection today, only to get forced into an all-electric heating solution—like a heat pump—in just a few years anyway.
Making Your Choice
There is no wrong choice to make between gas furnaces and heat pumps. Your decision will likely hinge on the costs involved. If you’re looking for a future-focused heating solution and are willing to pay a bit more upfront, a heat pump is a no-brainer. If you select one, you’ll likely recoup much of the upfront cost premium through more efficient operation. If your home already has a natural gas hookup and you’re looking to minimize installation cost, a gas furnace is for you. The trade-off is that you may pay slightly more to operate your furnace over its lifetime compared to a heat pump.
Your Local Reliable Heating Experts
Since 1954, Home Comfort Inc. has been providing reliable heating installation, repair, and maintenance services to Dallas residents. Our team of expert technicians all hold NATE certification, making them the best in the business. And, we sell and install quality furnaces and heat pumps from industry standouts like Lennox. We’re even Better Business Bureau accredited with an A+ rating for your peace of mind. So, if you need a new heating system installed in your Dallas home, contact our team at Home Comfort Inc. today!
