Gas Furnace or Heat Pump: Which Is Right for My Climate?

The quick decision by climate

How they differ

Heat pump

A heat pump moves heat instead of burning fuel, so it is efficient down to cold temperatures, then leans on supplemental heat below that. It both heats and cools, so it can replace a furnace and AC together.

Gas furnace

A gas furnace makes strong, fast heat and does not lose capacity in deep cold. It only heats, so it pairs with a separate air conditioner for summer.

Dual fuel

A dual-fuel system runs the heat pump in mild weather for efficiency and switches to the gas furnace when it gets cold. It costs more up front but optimizes running cost across the year.

What to weigh

Compare your local electricity and gas prices, how cold your winters get, and whether you already have ductwork and a gas line. In much of the country a modern heat pump is the simplest, most efficient single system. Where winters are harsh and gas is cheap, a furnace or dual-fuel setup pulls ahead.