Heat Pump vs Forced Air: What’s the Difference?

12.1 million households in the United States use heat pumps. That number may seem like a lot, but the majority of the country uses forced air furnaces as their source of heat.

We all know that heating our homes is important, but do you really know the difference between heat pump vs forced air furnaces? If you’re wondering about what differentiates a heat pump from forced air, you’re in the right place! Keep reading to learn all about heat pumps and forced air furnaces.

What Is A Heat Pump?

A heat pump doesn’t actually generate heat, it just transfers warm air from one place to another. Essentially a heat pump uses the air outside your home or in the ground to heat in winter and cool in summer.

In the winter, the heat pump will pull in warm air and circulate it around your house. In the summer, it will pull the warm air out of your house to make it cooler.

What Is A Forced Air Furnace?

Forced air furnaces are one of the most widely used home heating systems. Furnaces usually run on oil, gas, or electricity.

They use a flame and their energy source to distribute heat through the vents in a home. When the air cools down, it circulates back to the furnace and is heated once again.

Cost Of Heat Pump Vs. Furnace

The bottom line is that heat pumps are cheaper to operate than furnaces. Generating heat through a furnace uses a lot of fuel, which can be costly. Since a heat pump doesn’t produce heat, it requires much less energy to operate.

The precise cost of a furnace depends on a range of factors. The climate you live in, your specific furnace’s efficiency, and utility costs in your area all contribute to cost.

Heat Pump Vs. Forced Air Furnace: Which Is Better?

Whether a heat pump or furnace is better depends on your specific situation and needs. Both have pros and cons that you need to evaluate for yourself.

Furnaces are better in cold climates because heat pumps are very dependent on temperatures outside of the home. Heat pumps tend to be noisier than furnaces and constantly make clicking or knocking noises during regular function.

Heat pumps take up less space inside the home. Furnaces take up a lot of square footage because they usually require a 30-inch clearance on all sides for safety reasons. In temperate climates, a heat pump can both heat and cool your home while a furnace only provides heat.

Both heat pumps and furnaces come in different sizes and need to be professionally installed. Have a professional technician, like Air Medics AC and Heating, help you choose the right furnace or heat pump for your house.

Heat Pump Vs. Forced Air: Explained

Now that you know the differences between heat pumps and furnaces, are you ready to choose one for your home? By evaluating your needs and the pros and cons of heat pump vs forced air you can make the right choice for your household.

If you’re interested in more articles like this, check out the rest of our blog!