Pros and Cons of a Heat Pump
A heat pump is an excellent choice because it offers both heating and cooling all within the same system. When you invest in a heat pump, you aren’t just getting a heater. You’re also replacing your central air conditioner (or finally adding air conditioning to your home). Plus, heat pumps are highly efficient at heating and cooling your home.
When you select a heat pump with a high efficiency rating, you’re saving even more on energy costs. Heat pumps are particularly efficient in the wintertime. The efficiency compared to a central air conditioner is pretty even. However the unique method for heating sets heat pumps apart from furnaces. You do want to keep in mind that the heat pump may not be as efficient in heating mode on the coldest days of winter.
Some homeowners opt for a dual fuel system which consists of a small add-on furnace that can kick in and provide additional heat occasionally when temperatures drop to single digits. However, with our fairly mild winters here, that’s not something we have to worry about too often.
Pros and Cons of a Central Furnace
Central furnaces are a wonderful choice because they are known to be very effective at providing heat for a home. You can choose between a gas furnace that uses a pilot light or an electric furnace that uses heating elements. Gas furnaces have a reputation for heating your home the fastest, although an electric furnace is slightly more energy efficient.
Both gas and electric furnaces pose slightly higher safety risks compared to a heat pump. No matter what type of heater you have in your home, make sure that you have both carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors installed. It is also important to keep up with annual maintenance to lessen safety risks when you have a central furnace. Of course, maintenance on your HVAC systems is always recommended no matter what type of system you have.
