The Pacific Northwest's mild winters make heat pumps a strong choice for many homes. But a furnace is still the right answer for some. Here's how they compare.
How they work
A gas furnace burns fuel to make heat. A heat pump moves heat from the outside air into your home, and in summer it reverses to cool. Because it moves heat instead of making it, a heat pump can deliver more heating energy than the electricity it uses.
Why heat pumps work well here
- One system heats and cools, replacing a furnace and air conditioner
- Modern cold-climate models keep heating effectively at temperatures far below what we see on the Eastside
- They pair well with solar and with an all-electric home
- No combustion inside your home, and no gas line required
Where a furnace may still make sense
- You have a relatively new furnace and air conditioner that are working well
- Your existing ducts, electrical service, or layout would make a heat pump installation costly
- You want a dual-fuel setup, which pairs a heat pump with a gas furnace as backup
- Your priorities are lowest upfront cost, and your gas rates are low
What to compare
- Upfront cost, including any electrical, duct, or gas work
- Operating cost, which depends on your electric and gas rates
- Comfort and noise, including how each type distributes heat
- Whether your home needs an electrical panel upgrade
- Available incentives, which change often. Ask about current utility and other rebates rather than assuming.
There isn't one right answer for every home. A technician who looks at your ducts, panel, and heating needs can give you both options with written prices, so you can choose based on your actual home instead of a sales pitch.
Want a professional opinion?
Call us any time, day or night, at (425) 615-5000, or book online. Written pricing before any work begins.
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