With fall in full swing and the winter weather quickly approaching, now is a good time to discuss what kind of heating unit is best for you and your home. Unless you’re a seasoned heating and air conditioning contractor, understanding the difference between a furnace and a heat pump can be overwhelming – let alone trying to decide which one is right for you and your home. But don’t worry, Eastergard HVAC is here to help you make the right choice!
What is a Furnace?
A furnace generates warm air for your home by burning fuel. Once your furnace has burned enough fuel to generate heat, it then distributes this warm air throughout your home. Because furnaces actually generate heat, they do an excellent job of keeping your home warm and cozy even in the middle of the coldest winter night. Furnaces are also energy efficient, especially when you choose a reliable brand.
Furnaces are cheaper than a heat pump and have a longer lifespan – usually around 15-20 years when properly taken care of. Like we mentioned before, furnaces are extremely effective at keeping you warm even on the coldest days.
What is a Heat Pump?
Unlike a furnace, a heat pump moves warm air – it doesn’t generate it. A heat pump uses the air from outside to both heat your home in the winter time and to cool it in the summer time. So yes, your heat pump is a two-in-one heating and air conditioning unit. Because of this, they are extremely energy efficient.
Heat pumps are more expensive than furnaces which makes sense because you are paying for an air conditioning system and heating system in one unit. Because your heat pump is running almost 24/7 to keep you comfortable, they have a shorter lifespan – usually around 12-15 years when properly maintained.
Which One is Right for You?
Now that you know some of the major differences in a heat pump and a furnace, you hopefully have a better idea as to which one is right for you and your Greenville, SC home. If you are still unsure, no worries! Give Eastergard HVAC a call today. To look at some of the furnaces and heat pumps we offer here, check out our products page: https://eastergard.com/products-furnaces. Our team can help walk you through the pros and cons of each heating system to give you a better idea on which one is right for you. We look forward to hearing from you!