If it is time that you replace the old heating system with a new and more efficient one, you might have some work cut out for you during shopping. When it comes to getting a heating system to keep you warm and cozy during the winter, you have plenty of options. Unless you are a seasoned professional, understanding how to choose between a heat pump or a furnace can feel overwhelming.

Both heat pumps and furnaces provide you with heating, but they operate differently. We are here to help you understand the difference between these two systems so you can decide which one will work better for you. And when you decide, you can schedule our services for heating system installation in Indianapolis to get the job done.

Let’s cover all the basics to help you understand how each machine operates.

A heat pump is like a central AC system that can both warm up or cool down your home. It uses the flow of refrigerant to transfer the heat from indoors outside so it can recirculate cool air inside. When the winter comes, the reversing valve kicks in and changes the flow of the refrigerant. Instead of taking the heat out, the heat pump uses the refrigerant to transfer the heat from outside into your home.

A furnace is a heating system that burns fuel to heat up the air in a centralized part of your home and distribute it throughout the house using vents. All furnaces consist of a burner that burns fuel, heat exchangers, a blower, and an exhaust for the byproducts. Depending on where you live, your furnace might need to run on gas, oil, electricity, or a hybrid of different fuels.

The factor that makes the real difference between which one is better is where you live. Understand that every home and homeowner has different needs based on where they live. There are a few general recommendations that can help you pick the right unit.

If you live somewhere the average temperature in winters is no less than 30 degrees F, a heat pump will be perfect for your home. The heat pump relies on absorbing heat from outdoors and bringing it indoors. An area that is frequently extremely cold will not allow your heat pump to absorb enough heat. Its operating costs can climb as it relies more on electricity to generate new heat.

If the winters you face are brutally cold and you face below freezing temperatures, a heat pump cannot cut it while also maintaining its great efficiency. Modern heat pumps are effective in lower temperatures than ever before, but there is a point where the system just isn’t ideal. Furnaces may perform much better than heat pumps in cold climates because they generate their own heat, and will probably be more efficient overall.

The choice ultimately depends on where you live and the kind of winters you have. Whichever system you need, you can always feel free to get in touch with Vital Heating & Air for the best recommendation.

Schedule Service with Vital Heating & Air Today. Your Comfort is Vital!