When it comes to heating, most Eden, NC homes have a choice between a heat pump or a furnace. Although they both accomplish the same goal of heating your home, they do so in different ways. Whether you need a heating system replacement right now or want to be prepared for when the time comes, the Lawrence Heating & Cooling team is here to help. Below is a quick breakdown of each type of heating system and some of the factors you should consider when making your final decision.
Furnace
Furnaces heat your home by burning fuel to generate heat and then distributing it throughout your ductwork and through your home. Because furnaces use fuel to create heat, they blow much warmer air compared to heat pumps. There are four main components to a furnace: burners, heat exchangers, a blow and a flue for the exhaust. Furnaces can run on natural gas or oil and in some cases there are hybrid options available that can use both.
Furnace Pros & Cons
Furnaces are typically cheaper than heat pumps but the price will vary depending on the size and features. If you prefer hot and toasty temperatures inside of your Eden, NC home, a furnace might be a better option for you. Furnaces have fewer moving parts which means there’s less heating repair and maintenance involved and fewer pieces that could malfunction.
Heat that’s generated through a furnace could dry out the air in your home. While today’s furnaces are much more energy efficient compared to years ago, they still don’t compare to the efficiency of a heat pump. Homes with a furnace also require a separate unit for air conditioning while heat pumps act as a two-in-one.
Heat Pump
A heat pump doesn’t burn fuel to generate heat, in fact heat pumps don’t generate heat at all. Instead, heat pumps use electricity to pull air from the outside and transfer heat into your home. A heat pump basically acts as a reverse air conditioning unit and for that reason, they can also double as an air conditioner when in cooling mode.
Heat Pump Pros & Cons
Because heat pumps transfer air with electricity, they are very energy efficient. This allows you to enjoy a comfortably heated home knowing that your heat pump could contribute to a lower energy bill during the colder months. Like we mentioned above, heat pumps can also be used as an air conditioner in the summer time making this a more versatile product compared to a furnace.
Because heat pumps are used all year, they require more maintenance and upkeep and are more prone to breakdowns since they have more moving parts. Additionally, they are not as efficient if the temperature reach below freezing. Some homeowners like to have a supplemental form of heating since heat pumps don’t actually create warm air and can’t heat their homes as effectively as a furnace can.
If you need help choosing a heating system for your Eden, NC home, give the Lawrence Heating & Cooling team a call today! We are always happy to help our customers with their heating and air conditioning service needs. To learn more about some of the heating systems we carry and install, check out our products page https://www.lawrencecomfort.com/products.