HINTS FOR HOMEOWNERSFurnace Or
Heat Pump: Which One Is For You? |
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(NAPSI)- Anyone in the market for a new forced-air home heating system has an important decision to make: purchase a furnace or install a heat pump? Either system will deliver heated air to every room of the home, but how do you know which is right for you? Here are a few facts to help you cozy up to the right decision: • A furnace uses electricity or gas to produce heat, while a heat pump reduces costs by extracting heat from outside air and circulating it through your home. In warm weather, the process reverses and the heat pump collects heat from the air inside your home and carries it outside. • In areas where the temperature rarely dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, heat pumps are probably the more affordable option compared to furnaces, which tend to be more expensive to operate depending on the cost of electricity or the natural gas and oil used to operate them. • In colder areas, a furnace may be more economical. Furnaces can more easily maintain warm temperatures when the difference between the temperature outside and inside increases. Whether you decide to purchase a furnace or a heat pump, the efficiency of the equipment should determine the model you select. The efficiency of a furnace is measured by its annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating, while the heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) measures a heat pump's efficiency. The higher the AFUE or HSPF, the more efficient the unit and the less fuel it requires. For example, gas furnaces in the York Affinity™ Series offer an AFUE as high as 98 percent, and York Affinity heat pumps can deliver an HSPF as high as 9.4 to help you reduce your utility bills. Additionally, electronic controls on Affinity furnaces and heat pumps offer tighter temperature regulation and the ability to program periods of temperature setback, improving both system efficiency and occupant comfort. Depending on the model you select, you may be entitled to additional savings--up to 30 percent of the installed cost or a total of $1,500 for residential HVAC products installed before December 31, 2010--available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. To learn more, visit www.york.com or call (800) 910-YORK. |
While heat pumps and furnaces both supply heat to your home, one may be more economical than the other depending on your home and climate. Word Count: 390 |
