Heat pump vs Furnace in Western Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling as well as heat from one system, or if there's no gas line to your home. Look for a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power as the temperature drops, and winter nights here average 22°F. Weigh that against running cost, since natural gas heats for at least 45% less here at Connecticut's prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace makes sense if your home has a gas line, since natural gas heats for at least 45% less here than a heat pump does. That matters over a winter that runs about 8 months. A furnace only heats, so you would still need a separate air conditioner for summer.
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling as well as heat from one system, or if there's no gas line to your home. Look for a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power as the temperature drops, and winter nights here average 22°F. Weigh that against running cost, since natural gas heats for at least 45% less here at Connecticut's prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace makes sense if your home has a gas line, since natural gas heats for at least 45% less here than a heat pump does. That matters over a winter that runs about 8 months. A furnace only heats, so you would still need a separate air conditioner for summer.
Heat pump
- Runs on
- Electricity
- What it does
- Heats and cools
- Tax credit
- No federal tax credit since the end of 2025
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy · Internal Revenue Code
Furnace
- Runs on
- Natural gas
- What it does
- Heats only
- Tax credit
- No federal tax credit since the end of 2025
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy · Internal Revenue Code
Furnace wins in Western Connecticut Planning Region.
Gas heat costs at least 45% less to run than a heat pump here, and with 8 months of heating a year that adds up fast.
If your home has no gas line, a cold-climate heat pump will still heat it through a 22°F night without the cost of running one in.
Find a contractor| Compared on | Heat pump | Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to run here | Costs more to run | At least 45% less to run |
| What it does | Heats and cools | Heats only |
| Homes in New England that heat with one | 1.7% | 54.8% |
| Handles a 22°F night | Standard models lose heating power in the cold; cold-climate models are built for it | Yes |
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, NOAA
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling as well as heat from one system, or if there's no gas line to your home. Look for a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power as the temperature drops, and winter nights here average 22°F. Weigh that against running cost, since natural gas heats for at least 45% less here at Connecticut's prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace makes sense if your home has a gas line, since natural gas heats for at least 45% less here than a heat pump does. That matters over a winter that runs about 8 months. A furnace only heats, so you would still need a separate air conditioner for summer.
A Western Connecticut Planning Region contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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