Operating costs: what the bills actually look like
Across field trials, natural gas heating typically lands around $540/year to run. Electric heat varies more: $900–$2,500/year for straight electric resistance, while modern heat pumps can slash heating/cooling costs some case studies show up to 70% bill reductions when designed and installed correctly. A Maryland lifecycle study reported $7,940 higher energy costs for an electric heat pump vs gas, but note it didn’t include today’s top-tier heat pumps or every utility rate scenario. Bottom line: your bill depends on local gas/electric prices, climate, and system type. If you’re comparing options, look at your last 12 months of utility usage and run a side-by-side. Considering heat pumps? Browse efficient R-32 heat pump systems to see what fits your home and budget.
Efficiency in plain English: AFUE vs COP
Gas furnaces list AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). Typical ranges: 80–98% AFUE, with high-efficiency units above 90%. Electric heat pumps use COP (Coefficient of Performance), roughly 1.5–4.0 in real homes. COP 3.0 means you get 3 units of heat for 1 unit of electricity. In a large UK field trial, mid-range air-source heat pumps averaged about 2.2 efficiency, and roughly 13% topped 3.0—usually when the design and controls were dialed in. Translation: a great heat pump can beat gas on efficiency in the right climate and setup. If you’re comparing a new furnace to a heat pump, also check duct condition, static pressure, and airflow—these can make or break the real-world COP or AFUE you experience. For furnace options, see all furnaces; for matched indoor units, browse air handlers.
Comfort you can feel: steady warmth vs fast blast
Homeowners often describe heat pumps as “steady and even”—fewer hot/cold spots and tighter temperature control. That matches field data. Gas furnaces, on the other hand, excel at quick recovery and strong supply-air temperatures, which many folks prefer in large homes or during deep cold snaps. If you’re tired of rooms that swing between too hot and too cold, a heat pump’s longer, lower-intensity cycles may feel better day to day. If you want fast blasts of heat at 6 AM, a two-stage or modulating gas furnace is hard to beat. Ducts matter here: leaky or undersized ductwork erases comfort gains.
What homeowners report: satisfaction scores
Across surveys, heat pump owners report very high satisfaction—about 94% (half “extremely satisfied”), versus ~85% for gas boiler/furnace owners in large European datasets. In the UK field trial, 73% said their heat pump met room heating needs, 83% felt their home became warm and comfortable, and 86% were satisfied with domestic hot water. Private homeowners who chose heat pumps tended to be happier than social-housing residents—likely because they understood their systems better and had more tailored installs. The big takeaway for either technology: expectations + design + commissioning drive satisfaction. Ask your installer to walk you through thermostat schedules, defrost behavior, and best practices for steady operation.
Cold climates: when dual-fuel wins
Today’s cold-climate heat pumps can hold efficiency down to −31°F, but performance always tracks outdoor temperature. A proven approach is dual-fuel: run the heat pump for the bulk of the season, then automatically switch to gas around 35–40°F when it’s cheaper or more comfortable. This strategy gives you the heat pump’s even comfort and dehumidification with the furnace’s quick, high-temp output during arctic blasts. It also provides backup during rare heat pump faults. If you like the idea of “best of both,” explore residential dual-fuel packaged units or pairing a furnace with an R-32 outdoor unit. Ask your contractor to set the lockout temperature based on your utility rates, not a fixed rule.
Warm & moderate climates: where heat pumps shine
From Virginia southward and across many moderate zones, case studies show heat pumps delivering lower lifecycle costs and excellent comfort especially with ductless or high-SEER2 central equipment. In these areas, you’ll spend more hours in “sweet-spot” outdoor temperatures where COP is high. You’ll also enjoy cooling from the same system without paying for a separate furnace and AC. If you have hard-to-reach rooms or no ducts, DIY-friendly mini-splits air handlers can solve comfort gaps with excellent efficiency.
Installation & lifetime economics: the fine print
Upfront, electricity can be cheaper if your panel and wiring are in good shape. Gas often looks cheaper to run if natural gas is inexpensive locally. That Maryland study showing $7,940 higher electric costs over time is a caution, but remember it didn’t model today’s best heat pumps or solar offsets. Real-world wins happen when you blend tech wisely. Example: the Hoffer family combined geothermal + solar and saw ~70% utility savings, with electric bills under $16/month—proof that design choices move the needle. If you’re shopping, ask for a lifecycle cost comparison (10–15 years), not just a sticker price.
Maintenance & reliability: what to expect over 10 years
Electric systems (including heat pumps) typically need 2–3 hours/year of maintenance—filters, coil cleaning, and a check of electrical components. Gas systems average 4–6 hours/year because they add combustion checks and mandatory safety inspections. Over a decade, expect $1,550–$2,650 for electric vs $3,100–$4,500 for gas. Emergency calls happen, too: electric averages every 6–7 years, gas every 4–5 (with routine service). Reliability is solid across the board—about 77% of heat pump owners rate their systems reliable in studies. Your best insurance: clean filters, correct refrigerant charge, proper airflow, and weather-appropriate setpoints. Stocking basic accessories like filters and condensate tablets helps you stay ahead of issues.
Safety, outages & hot water realities
Electric removes the risk of gas leaks and carbon monoxide, which simplifies safety planning. That said, all-electric homes are more exposed during power outages. If you’re learning electric, consider a generator or battery backup; if you stay with gas, remember most furnaces still need electricity for controls and blowers. Heat pump hot water performance looks good in field data 86% of users were satisfied just be sure your installer sizes the tank and recovery for your household. If you’re unsure what’s safe for your space, our Help Center has code basics and checklists to discuss with your local pro.
What really drives performance: design, install, use
Field trials are crystal clear: design quality is the biggest swing factor. Systems with proper sizing, balanced airflow, clean duct design, and correct charge hit COP ≥3.0 far more often. Heat pumps especially like steady operation—longer, lower cycles beat constant on/off. Ask for verifications: external static pressure, measured airflow (CFM/ton), and a refrigerant subcool/superheat report. Ensure line-set length and elevation stay within the manufacturer’s chart, or capacity slips. If you want a pro to sanity-check a plan, send it through the Design Center.
Choosing for your home: a simple decision path
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Colder than average winters and low gas prices? Start with a high-efficiency furnace; add a cold-climate heat pump for dual-fuel if you want even comfort and shoulder-season savings.
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Moderate or warm climate and decent electric rates? A high-efficiency heat pump (central or ductless) likely wins on comfort and cost.
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Uneven rooms or no ducts? Go ductless for targeted comfort.
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Concerned about outages? Keep dual-fuel or plan for backup power.
Browse options by format: packaged systems, gas + AC combos then confirm the design with our Help Center resources.
FAQs
Is a heat pump really cheaper to run than gas?
It depends on your utility rates and climate. In many moderate or warm regions, a well-designed heat pump can beat gas, especially with high COP and good ducts. Where gas is cheap or winters are long and harsh, gas often wins on pure heating cost.
Do heat pumps work in freezing weather?
Yes—cold-climate models work down to −31°F. Efficiency drops as temps fall, which is why many cold-climate homes use dual-fuel (heat pump + gas) with a smart switchover point around 35–40°F.
Gas furnace vs electric heat pump for comfort—who wins?
Different “feel.” Heat pumps deliver even, steady warmth; gas provides quick, high-temp blasts. Duct quality and thermostat programming matter either way.
What’s AFUE vs COP, in simple terms?
AFUE is how efficiently a gas furnace turns fuel into heat (80–98%). COP is how many units of heat a heat pump delivers per unit of electricity (1.5–4.0+). Higher is better in both cases.
How much maintenance will I need?
Plan yearly service. Expect 2–3 hours/year for electric/heat pump and 4–6 hours/year for gas because of combustion checks. Over 10 years, that’s roughly $1,550–$2,650 (electric) vs $3,100–$4,500 (gas).
Are heat pumps reliable?
Yes—about 77% of users rate them reliable in studies. Reliability climbs when the system is sized, charged, and commissioned correctly.
What if the power goes out?
All-electric homes need backup power for heating. Gas furnaces also require electricity for controls/fans, so a small generator can be smart either way.
Can I pair a heat pump with solar?
Absolutely. Real-world cases show big bill cuts when you combine efficient heat pumps with solar (and even geothermal). Ask for a lifecycle cost look, not just upfront price.
Will my ducts work with a heat pump?
Often yes, but we’ll check size, leakage, and static pressure. If ducts are poor, ductless mini-splits or concealed-duct air handlers can solve it.
