When choosing a heating system for your home, you’ll surely be considering energy efficiency, cost, comfort, and environmental impact. Two common options are heat pump mini splits and furnaces (gas, electric, and propane). Each system has its pros and cons, but in this comparison, we’ll focus on the benefits of heat pump mini splits, particularly in terms of efficiency and long-term savings.
What is a Heat Pump Mini Split?
A heat pump mini split is a ductless heating and cooling system that uses heat transfer instead of combustion to warm or cool a space. It consists of an outdoor unit that extracts or expels heat and an indoor unit that distributes it throughout your home. The main appeal of mini splits is that they offer both heating and cooling in one system, making them a year-round solution for most homes in the United States.
Types of Furnaces
Gas Furnaces: Gas-powered furnaces are a popular choice in colder climates, as they burn natural gas to create heat. However, they rely on fossil fuels, and their efficiency depends on the AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating.
Electric Furnaces: Electric furnaces convert electricity into heat, and they are often chosen for their simplicity and lower upfront costs. However, they are typically expensive to operate and less efficient compared to heat pumps.
Propane Furnaces: Propane furnaces are commonly used in areas without access to natural gas. While they provide powerful heating, the cost of propane can fluctuate, and they still have a negative environmental impact.
Comparing Heating Efficiency
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Heat Pump Mini Splits: Heat pumps are highly efficient, with a Coefficient of Performance (COP) that can exceed 3, meaning they deliver more heat than the energy they consume. Their Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is also high, making them a great choice for moderate climates where they can heat and cool efficiently.
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Gas Furnaces: Gas furnaces have an AFUE rating, which indicates how efficiently they convert gas to heat. High-efficiency models can reach 98% AFUE, but they still rely on fossil fuels, which is less sustainable.
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Electric Furnaces: While 100% efficient in converting electricity to heat, electric furnaces are costly to run. As electricity prices rise, so do your heating bills.
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Propane Furnaces: Propane furnaces can reach high-efficiency levels, but propane is more expensive than natural gas, and its price can be volatile, making long-term costs unpredictable and often pricey.
Cost Comparison: Installation and Operation
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Heat Pump Mini Splits: Higher mini splits installation costs but lower operating costs, saving money long-term. Many governments offer rebates or tax incentives for energy-efficient upgrades.
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Gas Furnaces: Lower installation cost but higher ongoing fuel and maintenance costs. Risk of combustion-related issues like carbon monoxide leaks. Antiquated gas furnaces might also soon be required by law to be phased out.
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Electric Furnaces: Cheaper to install but more expensive to operate, especially in winter, making them less ideal long-term and more expensive.
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Propane Furnaces: Expensive to install with fluctuating propane prices and maintenance requirements, including managing a propane tank.
Environmental Impact
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Heat Pump Mini Splits: Heat pumps have a low carbon footprint, especially when powered by renewable energy. Unlike furnaces, they don’t burn fossil fuels, and their greenhouse gas emissions are minimal. For those looking to reduce their environmental impact, heat pumps are an eco-friendly option.
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Gas Furnaces: They rely on fossil fuels and produce various toxic, carbon emissions, which negatively affect the environment in many ways.
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Electric Furnaces: The environmental impact of electric furnaces depends on the source of the electricity. If the power comes from coal or other non-renewable sources, the environmental impact is higher. If the electricity comes from renewable sources, the impact can be reduced.
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Propane Furnaces: Like gas furnaces, propane furnaces produce carbon emissions, are cleaner alternatives to coal, but are still fossil fuels with limited renewable options.
Longevity and Maintenance
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Heat Pump Mini Splits: These systems typically have a long lifespan of 15-20 years with minimal maintenance required. Since there’s no combustion involved, there’s less wear and tear on components, making them a durable choice.
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Gas Furnaces: Gas furnaces can last 15-20 years, but they require regular maintenance to ensure safety and efficiency. Issues such as burner problems or gas leaks can lead to expensive repairs.
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Electric Furnaces: Electric furnaces require less maintenance but still benefit from regular inspections to ensure everything is operating smoothly.
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Propane Furnaces: Similar to gas furnaces in terms of lifespan and maintenance needs, propane furnaces require attention to the fuel supply and burner components.
Comfort and Versatility
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Heat Pump Mini Splits: One of the standout features of heat pumps is their ability to provide precise control over individual rooms or zones with multi-head mini splits system. This means you can heat or cool only the areas you’re using, saving energy. They also operate quietly, providing a comfortable environment year-round.
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Gas Furnaces: Gas furnaces produce heat quickly, but they can create dry air and uneven temperature distribution throughout the house.
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Electric Furnaces: Electric heating is steady but can be less effective in distributing heat evenly throughout the home.
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Propane Furnaces: Similar to gas in terms of comfort but may require more frequent refueling and management.
Why Heat Pump Mini Splits are a Great Choice
In most cases, heat pumps are a more efficient choice for homeowners, offering the flexibility of both heating and cooling in one system. While gas furnaces may be the cheapest option upfront due to the low cost of natural gas, they produce plenty of carbon and methane emissions, which have a detrimental effect on the environment. Gas furnaces also produce other toxic gases that can negatively affect our health. Recent policies aim to phase out certain outdated gas furnaces and promote the production of heat pumps. These initiatives signal a near-future where more Americans will likely embrace heat pumps as the cleaner, more sustainable option for home heating and cooling, while still saving money in the long run.
