Heat Pump vs Furnace: Which is Right For You?

New builders in Arizona are required to have gas furnaces due to prior agreements with Southwest Gas, which got people thinking something they may have never thought before….. What's better, a heat pump or a furnace? We are here to explore the differences and see what may work best for you and your family.

Heat Pump VS Furnace in AZ!

How Do They Work?

Heat Pump

Heat pumps take heat from outside air (even if it is cold out), and use refrigerant to absorb this heat. The refrigerant turns into a gas, and is then compressed to become extremely hot. This is released into the homes and repeated.  Since heat pumps do not generate their own heat, they are more energy efficient to operate. Heat pumps are more efficient in moderate climates like Phoenix instead of the extreme heat or cold. Unique to furnaces, heat pumps can produce both hot and cold air. 

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Furnace

Gas furnaces run off of natural gas or propane to create heat. The furnace draws in air and creates a flame within the combustion chamber, which is ultimately transferred and a fan forces the air outside of the furnace and into the area you were looking to cool. Gas furnaces are less environmentally friendly than heat pumps but have lower initial costs. Gas furnaces also tend to be more efficient in colder climates as the heat it produces is especially hot, and not drawn from outside. Furnaces only produce hot air, there is no option for cool air like with a heat pump.

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​What Does The Majority Say?

In all honesty, most homeowners don’t care if they have a gas furnace or heat pump. In Arizona, new builders are required to have gas furnaces with prior agreements with Southwest Gas. This is a perfectly good option, but there are many reasons why people may want to trade out their heat pump/furnace as each home and desired climate is different. 

• If you go all electric, many homeowners end up changing from a furnace to a heat pump so that solar panels are able to cover it. This is a big consideration when looking to purchase a new heat pump or furnace. 
• Of course, many families would like to be more environmentally conscious, making heat pumps a better option. This will save you money in the long run, but is more expensive initially. 
• Heat pumps can provide both heating and cooling- a great option for those in places like Casa Grande or Tucson, Arizona where the temperatures do not drop drastically. Of course, a furnace does not do this, so if you are looking to have it all in one you may want to stick with a heat pump. 
• People may tend to stick to furnaces due to their reliability. Furnaces are effective in very cold temperatures, which is necessary for families who live in cold climates (not Phoenix, Arizona)! 
• Furnaces also have very little noise compared to heat pumps, something that may be necessary in smaller or shared spaces. 
• Many families are more comfortable with furnaces due to their traditional generational use, whereas others prefer the ease of a heat pump.​

Overall, the decision between a heat pump or furnace ends up to be what you are comfortable with and what you are looking to do with your home in the future. Homeowners should evaluate their specific needs in order to determine what is best for their families. 

Do Heat Pumps Work in Phoenix’s Climate?

Heat pumps work perfectly well in Phoenix, Arizona. This is because heat pumps are best suited for moderately cold winters, making it the perfect choice for Phoenix’s winter (at least compared to other places!).

What If I Do Want To Switch?

We’ve got this! To switch from a furnace to heat pump you need a dedicated electrical line to the furnace. Green ID can help- the heat pump or choirs 240V and we’ll sort out any other circuit that is shared. 
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If you are looking to switch, call us at 602-926-1650 or visit our website GreenIntegratedDesign.com. We would be happy to help you figure out what works best for you and your family. 

Not sure yet? Call us to schedule an energy audit- we will let you know where your home is leaking air, and how you can save money on your electricity bill each month. See below what that entails. 

**Our energy audit includes a quick interview before we test how energy efficient your home is. This includes a Visual Inspection of the House, Combustion Safety and Gas Leakage Tests, Whole House Blower Door Test, Duct Leakage Test, Duct Design Evaluation, Infrared Camera Inspection, Utility Bill Analysis, Static Pressure Test, Pressure Test, Water Heating Evaluation, Insulation and Air Barrier Evaluation, Pool Pump Evaluation, and a Home Energy Report.