The quick decision by climate
| Your situation | Usually the best fit |
|---|---|
| Mild or moderate climate | Heat pump (heats and cools on electricity) |
| Cold climate, cheap natural gas | Gas furnace with a separate AC |
| Cold climate, want efficiency too | Dual fuel (heat pump plus gas furnace) |
| No gas line | Heat pump or electric furnace backup |
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.
Shop heat pumps and gas-heat systems
Browse both paths and compare for your climate.
Common gas vs heat pump questions
Is a heat pump cheaper to run than a gas furnace?
Do heat pumps work in cold weather?
What is a dual-fuel system?
Can a heat pump replace my furnace and AC?
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