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Heat pumps don’t generate heat—they transfer it.

A gas furnace generates heat by burning combustible fuel, such as gas or propane, while an electric furnace generates heat in much the same manner that a hairdryer would, by blowing air over a hot element.

A heat pump works on a different thermodynamic principle: It draws heat from the outdoors (even if it’s cold outside) and transfers that heat to your home’s interior. So while a heat pump will not generate heat, it is able to absorb heat via pressurized refrigerant lines and then release that heat into your home.”

Read about the other differences between the two here.

Aside from how a heat pump and furnace warms your home, there are other things that separate them both. While heat pumps can function when the weather is cold, its efficiency does lessen the colder the temperatures are. Furnaces, on the other hand, generate their own heat and therefore don’t suffer from this problem. Another important feature of heat pumps is that they can actually cool your home as well. So they will definitely get a lot more usage year-round.

Unsure which option is right for you? At Temperature Control Specialties, we sell both heat pumps and furnaces. Based on the information you give us, we can advise which solution might be best for your home. Call us at (317) 247-7663 for more information!