How Heat Pumps Compare to Furnaces for Efficiency
Florida residents enjoy mild winters that require minimal heating to maintain a comfortable indoor environment. Although Florida’s residential heating needs are minimal, energy costs can add up.
Approximately 90% of Florida’s households rely on electricity for heating through electric heat strips, electric furnaces and air-source heat pumps. If you are considering replacing your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, there are ways to reduce energy usage without losing comfort.
Heat pumps provide heat during the winter and can also serve as air conditioners to cool your home during the summer. Statistics show that they can achieve approximately 300% efficiency. In contrast, high-efficiency electric furnaces achieve an efficiency between 95% and 100%.
The trained HVAC technicians at Bradenton One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating will come to your home to evaluate your indoor environment and comfort needs. We can help you select a heating system that complements your budget, comfort requirements and energy-saving goals.
How Heat Pumps Work
Heat pumps use electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of using electricity to heat and cool. In the winter, they extract heat from the outside air. Although it may seem cold outside, thermal energy is present in the air. Using the principles of refrigeration, a liquid circulating through piping absorbs the heat from outdoors. Compressing the refrigerant converts it to a hot gas. As it cycles through the system, the refrigerant releases heat indoors. The cooled refrigerant flows back outside, and the cycle starts again.
During the summer, reversing the flow of refrigerant removes heat from indoors and releases it outside. Thus, these systems have the advantage of providing both air conditioning and heating in a single unit.
How Furnaces Work
Furnaces use fuel, such as gas, propane, oil and electricity, to produce heat. Electric systems operate by using electricity to heat coils. Fans blow the hot air into ducts, which release warm air into your home. Gas, oil and propane models burn fuel to produce heat, which is then released into your home. Fossil fuel combustion systems release gases, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, which can affect your health and the environment.
Furnace efficiency is described by a ratio called Average Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The AFUE is determined by dividing the unit’s heat output by its energy output. The higher the AFUE, the better the efficiency. Gas furnaces in Florida must have an AFUE of 90% or more. That means that 90% of the fuel used produces heat and 10% is lost through the chimney.
Electric furnaces are generally 95% to 100% efficient because no energy is lost through chimneys. However, they can cost up to 2.5 times more to run than heat pumps depending on the cost of electricity in your area.
Pros and Cons of Heat Pumps and Furnaces
Heat pumps are environmentally friendly. They use less energy to heat than electric furnaces, achieving efficiencies of between 300% and 400%. For each unit of electricity they consume, they give out three to four units of heat. They do not require a chimney, which reduces energy loss. They are safer to operate because they do not release gases that combustion models do. In addition, they provide efficient cooling during the long, warm Florida summers.
During a seasonal tune-up, our technicians check all components, including refrigerant levels, the condensate system and filter. We ensure the reversing valve functions properly and will change the flow of refrigerant as appropriate for the season. If you are converting your heating system from a furnace to a heat pump, equipment and installation costs may be higher. However, state and federal rebates for eligible energy-efficient equipment can offset these costs.
Using a furnace to heat your Florida home may be more economical depending on fuel prices and how much you use the heater. Although electric high-efficiency systems can be up to 100% efficient, they are less efficient than heat pumps. Electric models have fewer components and break down less frequently than fossil fuel systems.
Gas, oil and propane systems release gases during combustion, which can compromise safety. During a maintenance session, technicians must examine and clean burners, heat exchanges and other components to ensure the system is properly vented and that gases do not flow into the living area. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that can cause health problems or be fatal. Electric models are easier to install and usually less expensive than combustion systems.
Bradenton One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating installs, maintains and repairs all types and brands of heating equipment, including forced air, radiant heating and combustion systems. Our installation team sizes equipment according to industry standards. Both oversized and undersized units affect comfort, energy usage and reliability.
We offer a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. We back our services and equipment with a two-year guarantee. In addition, we guarantee that we will arrive during the scheduled time slot or you do not have to pay for our services. Our motto, We arrive on time or you don’t pay a dime, shows our respect for your time.
Call Bradenton One Hour today to schedule an in-home visit to help you select a new heating system. We offer up-front pricing and accurate estimates with no hidden costs.