If you live in the Vacaville, CA, area, you should already know that we experience relatively mild winters. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can do without a reliable and efficient way to heat your home. If you’re in the market for a new heating system, your top two choices will likely be heat pumps and furnaces. They’re the most popular options in this area and with good reason. Here are the strengths and weaknesses of each so that you can make an informed decision.
What Is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is an HVAC solution that provides efficient heating and cooling from a single system. They look and operate similarly to central air conditioners. The main difference is that they can operate bi-directionally. Heat pumps rely on the refrigeration cycle to operate. In cooling mode, they collect heat from your home’s air and carry it outside. In heating mode, they collect heat from the outdoor air and bring it indoors to warm your home.
Heat Pump Advantages
Heat pumps stand out from other heating systems primarily because of their efficiency. They run entirely on electricity, and this eliminates the need for fuel to produce heat. In ideal conditions, heat pumps can heat your home with up to 400% efficiency. This impressive performance means you get four units of heat for every unit of electricity you use. Even with higher electricity costs, as in California, heat pumps often offer the most economical way to heat your home.
The extreme efficiency offered by heat pumps also helps make them an eco-friendly heating option. They don’t emit any pollution; their only carbon footprint stems from producing the electricity necessary to run them. You can all but eliminate that carbon footprint by pairing a heat pump with a renewable energy source.
Heat Pump Disadvantages
Heat pumps don’t have many disadvantages, but there are a few worth mentioning. One is that heat pumps begin losing their high efficiency when it gets extremely cold out. Most heat pumps maintain their efficiency down to about 32 degrees Fahrenheit. By the time the mercury hits 20, the average heat pump is no more efficient than the typical gas furnace. Also, heat pumps sometimes engage inefficient heat strips to supplement heat production on cold days. When they do, you can expect your electricity costs to rise. Fortunately, the weather here rarely gets that cold in Vacaville, making this disadvantage moot.
Another disadvantage of heat pumps, depending on how you look at it, is their relatively low operating temperatures. Most heat pumps release air that’s approximately 95 degrees in heating mode. For comparison, gas furnaces output air between 120 and 140 degrees. As a result, some homeowners report a drafty feeling when using their heat pump in heating mode. That’s because of the lower temperature differential between the heated and unheated air. A heat pump will still get your home to your desired temperature and keep it there.
What Is a Gas Furnace?
A gas furnace burns natural gas to generate heat to warm your home. It cannot provide cooling, although you can install a central AC that shares an indoor unit with a furnace. Gas furnaces are the de facto standard for efficient heating in most of the US, including Vacaville. That’s because natural gas is plentiful and cheap, and gas furnaces are very reliable.
Gas Furnace Advantages
One of the reasons gas furnaces are so popular is their cost. They’re so ubiquitous that few heating systems are cheaper to install, assuming you already have gas service. Plus, gas furnaces are reasonably efficient, with minimally efficient models converting 81% of their fuel to usable heat. When you combine that with the low cost of natural gas, you begin to understand the financial appeal of gas furnaces.
Gas furnaces also have a reputation for excellent longevity, as most last between 15 and 20 years with proper maintenance. Plus, gas furnaces are mechanically simple and aren’t prone to malfunction. Gas furnaces also excel at warming your home’ quickly. Homeowners love their ability to drive the chill out of the air within minutes of turning on their systems.
Gas Furnace Disadvantages
One of the main drawbacks of gas furnaces is that they contribute to climate change. Every time you turn on a furnace, it emits a mixture of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and monoxide, and water vapor. That’s one of the reasons municipalities around California have proposed bans on new natural gas connections.
Another disadvantage of gas furnaces is that they can pose some safety risks. One is the risk of fire that comes with controlled combustion within your home. Modern furnaces feature safety equipment to prevent fires but aren’t infallible. The risk of carbon monoxide leaking into your home is also worth noting. It can happen due to a cracked heat exchanger or a leaking flue pipe. Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and deadly to humans in sufficient concentrations. So, investing in carbon monoxide detectors is necessary when you own a gas furnace.
Choosing Between a Heat Pump and a Gas Furnace
In Vacaville, our climate makes heat pumps ideal for most homes. They can heat and cool your home, and our mild winters help them operate at peak efficiency. Plus, there are generous tax breaks and subsidies that reduce the cost of installing a heat pump. Right now, you can claim up to 30% of the price of a heat pump up to $2,000 on your taxes. Depending on your income, there’s also a federally sponsored rebate program worth up to $8,000 off a new heat pump. Additionally, California’s electric utility providers often offer their own rebate programs to encourage heat pump adoption.
There are only two significant reasons why you might want to choose a gas furnace instead. One is if you already have gas service and want to keep your upfront costs as low as possible. Even with the tax credits and subsidies, a new gas furnace may still cost less upfront. The other is if you prefer a gas furnace’s hotter air output. Some homeowners like having the ability to raise their home’s temperature quickly. Heat pumps can’t always do that, especially on frigid days.
However, it’s worth pointing out that any gas furnace you install will likely be your last. The California Air Resources Board is planning to ban gas furnace sales in 2030. If you believe your home may need a new AC before then, switching to a heat pump now would be wise. Otherwise, you’ll get stuck trying to pair a new AC with your furnace while the industry pivots to heat pumps. You’d be better off switching now and meeting your heating and cooling needs simultaneously.
Local Efficient Heating Experts
No matter what kind of heating system you choose for your Vacaville home, select Cozy Home Services to install it. Our team of HVAC technicians has extensive training and experience working with heat pumps and gas furnaces. In addition to system installation and repair, we provide ductwork services and air purification along with electrical and solar work, which essentially makes us your experts in many things home improvement. When you’re ready to install a new heating solution in your Vacaville home, call Cozy Home Services immediately!
