All you Need to Know About Replacing Your Furnace with a Heat Pump
When it’s time to get a new furnace for your home, you may consider replacing it with a heat pump. Heat pumps are popular replacements for furnaces. But is it suitable for your home’s heating and cooling system?
Here are your questions answered about if it is possible to replace your furnace with a heat pump.
What’s the Difference Between a Heat Pump and a Furnace?
The main difference is that the heat pump can do both cooling and heating while a furnace can only heat.
Old furnaces have several advantages; they have a long life span when well maintained. They are also efficient at heating the home. However, heat pumps offer a lot more.
The heat pump has a refrigerant and it functions based on the heating and cooling needs of the home. When the home needs cooling, it absorbs the heat from the home and the blower fan transports the heat to the outside of your home. If your home needs heating, the blower fan transports heat from the outdoors into your home.
What are the Benefits of Replacing Your Furnace with a Heat Pump?
Heat pumps are dual
As mentioned earlier, heat pumps function as both a cooler and a heater.
They do not take up a lot of space
If you are trying to save on space, the heat pump is a better option. Although heat pumps and furnaces require space around them to function at safe levels, the furnace requires more space.
You will need to leave at least 30 inches all around the furnace to allow enough air circulation and also make it possible for repairers to work on the system when it requires repairs.
The heat pump on the other hand requires only 24 inches all around it to function properly. The heat pump can sometimes be fixed above the ground. This also prevents it from getting in the way.
Heat pumps operate at a lower cost
Heat pumps use electricity and they consume way less energy. It is easy to save on energy costs. It is also easier and cheaper to install a heat pump compared to a furnace.
They are the safest heating option on the market
Unlike other heating systems, heat pumps do not burn gas. The exterior of the heat pump does not even get heated.
What to Consider Before Replacing Your Furnace with a Heat Pump
You should consider the weather at the location before making the switch. If your home gets colder than 30 degrees Fahrenheit, a heat pump may not work for you.
Heat pumps are also noisier than a furnace. But the difference is negligible.
If your furnace is more than 15 years old, it is no longer functioning as efficiently as you will want it to. A repair may cost less but it will only solve the situation for a short period. A replacement is an excellent option for older furnaces.
It is also easier to upgrade to a heat pump if your furnace already uses electricity.
Thinking of upgrading your furnace this year?
STEP 1 - Give us a call at (778) 726-2827 to schedule a visit with one of our Heating & Cooling Specialists. They will diagnose your home’s heating and cooling needs, go over the options, give you an upfront quote and discuss available rebates.
STEP 2 - Book your home energy evaluation with an energy advisor to qualify for Clean BC and Canada Greener Homes Rebates of $1000 - $11,000. For more information or to schedule your assessment, call Kate @ VT Group - (778) 441-3838 ext 238.
NOTE: This assessment can be booked before or after your meeting with our specialist.
STEP 3 - After receiving your quote, and scheduling your energy assessment, call our office to book your installation date for the new heat pump!
***The assessment must be completed PRIOR to the installation to qualify for rebates. ***
