Differences Between a Furnace and a Heat Pump in San Antonio

San Antonio stays warm throughout the year. During the summer, temperatures typically soar into the 90s and even 100s. However, from November through February, temperatures also drop into the 40s and sometimes lower.

Does your heating system struggle to warm your home when winter hits? Consider replacing your current setup and installing the best heating system to combat the cold in Alamo City.

But first, let’s learn from our heating system comparison of a gas or electric furnace vs. a heat pump. 

Gas or Electric Furnace vs. a Heat Pump: How Do They Work in San Antonio, TX?

Before investing in heating services in San Antonio, TX and installing a new system, make sure you understand each option. This will make selecting a gas or electric furnace vs. a heat pump​ — or vice versa — easier.

To start, let’s explain how gas and electric furnaces each work.

Here is a quick rundown of how a gas furnace operates:

1. A thermostat tells a gas furnace when it’s time to turn on and the furnace opens its gas valve, allowing gas to flow into the burner.
2. An igniter generates a spark, igniting the gas and warming a heat exchanger.
3. A blower fan blows the warm air from a heat exchanger through a home’s ducts.

Here is a brief breakdown of how an electric furnace works:

1. A thermostat tells an electric furnace to turn on and electrical currents flow to its heating elements, warming them up.
2. A blower motor pulls cool air from a home’s ducts before pushing it over the heating elements.
3. The heating elements produce warm air, which a blower motor distributes throughout the ductwork in a home.

Heat pumps, on the other hand, offer an alternative option. Here is how a heat pump works:

1. Refrigerant passes through an outdoor unit or condenser, absorbing heat from the outside air.
2. A compressor compresses the refrigerant, increasing its temperature.
3. The refrigerant moves to an indoor unit or air handler, releasing heat and warming a home.

It can also reverse this process to cool a home. This is one of the major differences between a gas or electric furnace vs. a heat pump.

Which Is More Effective?

A gas or electric furnace and a heat pump can both heat your San Antonio, TX home.

However, there may be instances when a heat pump has difficulty generating enough heat on freezing-cold days. A gas or electric furnace won’t encounter these problems.

Thankfully, San Antonio’s temperatures rarely dip below freezing — but it’s still something to consider when choosing between a furnace and a heat pump.

Which Is More Energy-Efficient?

HVAC systems have improved dramatically with several affordable energy-efficient heating options on the market today. But you still shouldn’t overlook the differences between a gas or electric furnace vs. a heat pump.

A well-maintained heat pump will transfer more energy than it consumes, which gives heat pump efficiency a slight edge over furnace efficiency.

Which Lasts Longer?

A heating system’s lifespan depends on many factors, including:

• The brand that supplies a system
• The maintenance performed on it
• The parts you use for repairs

However, when maintained properly, a gas furnace will last for at least 20 years, while an electric one will last 20 to 30 years in most cases. A heat pump, meanwhile, only has a lifespan of between 15 and 20 years.