Here in Mineral, VA, you wouldn’t want to face a winter without a reliable heating system. Fortunately, you’ll find more options than ever when shopping for a new system. For most homeowners, the decision comes down to one of two options. You can choose either a gas furnace or a heat pump. The former is the most common heating system in Mineral and the rest of the United States. The latter is a newer option that is gaining popularity for multiple reasons. Both can meet your home’s heating needs with ease. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of each.
What Are the Advantages of a Furnace?
If you’re like most homeowners in Mineral, you’ve likely owned or used a gas furnace for heat at some point. There are several reasons why they’re so popular. One is that they’re based on mature technology that’s over a century old. That translates into excellent reliability, safety, and efficiency. Gas furnaces last for up to 20 years with proper care and have a reputation for rarely needing repair. They also excel at increasing indoor temperatures quickly.
The lowest-efficiency gas furnace avaiable today is 81% efficient. You can purchase a high-efficiency furnace model that exceeds that significantly. There are gas furnaces on the market capable of operating at 98.7% efficiency. Combining that with relatively low natural gas costs gives you affordable heating bills and a cozy house all winter.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Furnace?
Gas furnaces have two primary disadvantages. One is that they burn fossil fuels, releasing nitrogen and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. Those are potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
The second major disadvantage of a gas furnace is its potential operational risks. The combustion process carries some risk of starting house fires. Fortunately, gas furnaces feature multiple safety features designed to prevent that situation from occurring, so issues are rare, especially for properly-maintained furnaces. Theoretically, a malfunctioning gas furnace can also leak carbon monoxide into your home. It’s a colorless, odorless gas. Carbon monoxide leaks from gas furnaces are also rare, but it’s still a factor
What Are the Advantages of a Heat Pump?
The most important advantage you gain from a heat pump installation is energy efficiency. Heat pumps are all-electric but can operate up to 400% efficiently under ideal conditions. They also serve as both a heating and cooling solution for your home. That means you can install a heat pump to replace your home’s furnace and air conditioning. Plus, if you pair a heat pump with renewable energy solutions like wind or solar power, they have a minimal carbon footprint.
Heat pumps often qualify for significant tax credits and subsidies. You can claim up to 30% or $2,000 of a heat pump’s cost on your federal tax return. Soon, some homeowners will qualify for point-of-sale rebates worth up to $8,000 on new heat pumps. Together, those programs can reduce the cost of installing a heat pump to nearly zero dollars.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Heat Pump?
One of the disadvantages of a heat pump is that it can struggle in freezing weather. As temperatures drop, heat pumps begin losing efficiency. When the outside temperature reaches 20 degrees, a standard heat pump is no more efficient than the average gas furnace. Below that, it may engage an inefficient electric resistance backup heating system to ensure adequate heat.
Another disadvantage of a heat pump is that it likely won’t last as long as a gas furnace. The average heat pump only lasts for about 15 years with regular maintenance. And when they break down, your home won’t have heating or cooling capacity until repair or replacement.
Your Trusted Local Heating Experts
Whether you choose a gas furnace or a heat pump for your Mineral home, Air Nerds can help. We offer complete heating installation, repair, and maintenance services. We also provide services for all AC units, indoor air quality systems, mini-splits, and ductwork. With over 65 years of combined experience on our team, you will get nothing but quality workmanship from us.
If you need a new heating system in Mineral, call Air Nerds today.
