If your heating system is on its way out, now is the perfect time to replace it before winter begins. But deciding what type of heating system to install can be a challenge. On the surface, all heating systems do the same thing—heat your home in the winter. But the way they heat your home is different and some, like heat pumps, can actually cool your home as well.
In this guide, we compare two of the most popular types of heating systems—heat pumps and furnaces—to help you decide which is the right fit for your home.
What’s the Difference Between a Furnace & a Heat Pump?
Furnaces and heat pumps can both be used to heat your home, but the similarities end there.
How a Furnace Works
A furnace is a combustion appliance that creates heat by burning fuel. Furnaces typically run on natural gas, propane, or oil. The heat they generate is distributed throughout your home via a central duct system.
How a Heat Pump Works
A heat pump is a type of HVAC system that provides heat and air conditioning in one. Unlike furnaces, heat pumps don’t actually create heat. Instead, they move it from one place to another. In the winter, heat pumps extract heat from the air outside and bring it into your home. In the summer, they work in reverse, collecting heat from the air inside your home and moving it out.
Ducted heat pumps are connected to a central duct system, just like a furnace, but there are also ductless options. Mini split heat pumps work without ductwork and can be installed almost anywhere in your home.
The Best of Both Worlds: Trane Hybrid Heat Pumps
Trane hybrid heat pumps combine the best components of furnaces and heat pumps to give you the most efficient and effective heating system possible.
How Hybrid Heat Pumps Work
Hybrid Trane heat pump systems—also known as matched systems—include both a Trane heat pump and a gas furnace. In a hybrid system, the heat pump heats and cools your home when temperatures are mild—typically during the summer, spring, and fall. As it gets colder outside, the furnace will automatically take over. This ensures energy efficient heating in all weather conditions, so you can save money on your energy bills without sacrificing comfort.
Benefits of a Hybrid Heat Pump
Hybrid Trane heat pump systems have many advantages over other heater replacement options.
- Heating and air conditioning in one
- Energy efficient operation
- Lower energy bills
- Maximum comfort all year round
- Easy installation
Princeton Air: Your Local Heat Pump Installer
Princeton Air is the HVAC company local homeowners trust. We are a family company with over 52 years of experience, and we make HVAC easy. We’ve installed thousands of heating and air conditioning systems over the years, and we are proud to recommend Trane hybrid heat pumps to our customers.
If you’re ready for a heating replacement, give us a call. Our team can help you choose the best heating system for your home and help you take advantage of rebates and financing.
