The place where you live in Utah serves as the best measure to determine whether you need to install a heat pump or furnace.

Those who live in a place with temperate climate for most of the year should consider a heat pump, while furnaces are ideal in areas with cold weather. If you have been thinking about installing a fireplace, the choice ultimately depends on your budget.

For instance, a gas fireplace in Salt Lake City appears to be the better choice since winter can be unusually cold. Remember that fireplaces are different from a heat pump or furnace, so consult an HVAC professional before making a purchase.

Understanding Key Differences

Heat pumps work best in temperate climates because it can be an air-conditioner or heater, depending on the weather. Homeowners could install a heat pump if the winter temperatures only reach 30°F to 40°F. Otherwise, it is better to use a furnace because heat pumps are not suitable for extremely hot and cold temperatures.

Take note that a heat pump consumes more energy when there is a sudden drop or rise in temperature, just so it could maintain the preferred indoor cooling or heating. You should also check for signs of frosting, which could affect the efficiency of the outdoor compressor.

On the other hand, furnaces are ideal for extreme heat or cold because it does not have to convert the outdoor temperature to provide indoor heating. However, furnaces do not cool your homes during hot weather, so you need to install a different type of system. Be sure to use the comparison site, Simply Switch, to learn more about how you can make your house more energy efficient with their library of helpful guides

Overhead Costs and Expenses

The actual costs of running a furnace or heat pump will depend on the type of unit. Geothermal heat pumps only incur $259 of average heating costs per year, while models that provide cooling and heating incur $850 in average annual expenses. You should expect the costs to be more or less expensive based on the size of your home and the quality of the unit.

The cost of running a furnace also depends on these factors, plus the type of fuel used as the energy source. Propane furnaces are the most expensive, with operation costs amounting to $1,550 on average, while electric resistance costs $900. Natural gas costs $850 and the cheaper price primarily stems from the abundance of the energy commodity in the U.S.

Even if you do not live in a place with below freezing temperatures, fireplaces can be a good alternative to heat pumps. A brick-surrounded gas fireplace may cost between $2,500 and $5,000 for an average installation, while prefabricated ones cost at least $2,000. Some Salt Lake City homeowners prefer gas to wood-burning fireplaces for cleaner combustion. You can also read a good guidebook on ethanol fireplaces and ethanol fire pits for more advanced enhancement.

If you still have doubts about the right choice between a heat pump and a furnace, ask your local HVAC provider to find out more. Some companies provide custom solutions aside from these two, such as fireplace additions. Whichever you choose, consider hiring a professional for installation to maximize the supposed efficiency of the new system.

Author

Northern girl Laura is the epitome of a true entrepreneur. Laura’s spirit for adventure and passion for people blaze through House of Coco. She founded House of Coco in 2014 and has grown it in to an internationally recognised brand whilst having a lot of fun along the way. Travel is in her DNA and she is a true visionary and a global citizen.

Comments are closed.