Can a Heat Pump Replace My AC and Furnace?

Here in Minnesota, temperatures vary widely over the different seasons. Maybe you’ve already given your air conditioning a trial run and noticed it wasn’t running well. On the other hand, your furnace worked just fine over the last few months. You may be faced with the question of replacing at least one – and possibly both – of your units. Could a heat pump be the answer?

The technology of heat pumps

A heat pump works differently than a furnace, which uses energy to create warmth by heating the air. Instead, a heat pump transfers heat from one place to another, which uses less energy. It takes heat from the air outside to produce cool temperatures indoors and vice versa. As a result, heat pumps can be used to both heat and cool the inside of your home.

To replace, or not to replace?

When you’re considering whether to replace one unit or both, it may seem like a no-brainer to only replace the one that is failing. There’s an argument to make, however, for replacing both units at the same time with a heat pump. It can save significant energy and money over time. Some of the benefits include:

Efficiency

Technology has only improved the efficiency. Today’s heat pumps use far less energy than a gas furnace. Heat pumps with a higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating are more expensive up front, but they use less energy, therefore saving you money in the long run. There are also tax credits for high-efficiency heat pumps.

Cost of operation

Electricity costs less than natural gas in most areas. Since heat pumps use electricity, running them costs less than the furnace that is powered by natural gas.

Noise

Heat pumps are less noisy than a running furnace.

Safety

There’s no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning with a heat pump.

When replacing your heating and cooling units, it’s a good idea to talk with the experts at Genz-Ryan who can provide the options and benefits that will best suit your Minneapolis area home and budget.