Although temperatures are mild for most of the year in New Orleans, LA, homeowners sill occasionally will need a heating system to stay warm on chilly winter days and nights. When it comes time to install heating equipment, you might wonder which option would be the best for you; a furnace or a heat pump? Most homeowners install either a gas or electric furnace for heating or a heat pump, which heats in the winter and cools like an air conditioner in the summer. Our heating and air conditioning technicians at Bryans United Air Conditioning explain the features of each type of system so that you can decide which is the best option for you. So which furnace or heat pump is best for your New Orleans, LA home? Read on to find out.
How Do Furnaces Work?
Furnaces operate on either electricity or natural gas. The gas-fired furnaces have a lifespan that averages 15 years, which is longer than a typical split heating and cooling system. Installation costs for a furnace are lower unless the home lacks an existing ventilation system, which can add several thousand dollars to the total furnace installation price. In an electric-powered furnace, the equipment will consume a great deal of energy in comparison to a heat pump. Gas-operated furnaces are more energy efficient than electric furnaces. During the combustion process in gas furnaces, toxic gasses such as carbon monoxide are produced. Gas furnaces require a properly functioning ventilation system, otherwise serious health and safety can arise.
How Do Heat Pumps Work?
Despite the name, heat pumps are capable of both heating and cooling your New Orleans, LA home. Heat pumps transfer heat from the outdoors to the inside of the home during the winter months. Heat pumps have a valve that switches the function and in the summer, heat pumps can cool the home like a central air conditioner does. As a result, the heat pump’s lifespan is shorter because it is in use year-round. Heat pumps operate on electricity. Some homeowners find electric heating to be too dry for comfort. Heat pumps need to be serviced at least twice each year, once before the heating season and once before the cooling season.
Choosing a Furnace or Heat Pump: Which is Better?
In mild environments such as that of New Orleans, a heat pump will be a more cost effective heating solution for most homeowners. Because the temperatures rarely drop below the freezing point, the heat pump is able to provide adequate heating. Depending on the electricity versus natural gas rates, the cost of operating a furnace or heat pump may be a significant consideration. But some homeowners choose electric heat because it carries no risk of gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning like gas furnaces might.
By offering our expert advice, we hope to help you make an informed decision about the installation of a furnace or heat pump. Our experienced professionals at Bryans United Air Conditioning are dedicated to ensuring your comfort and satisfaction with the advice and services we offer. With more than 30 years of service to the metropolitan New Orleans, LA community, we have built a solid reputation for trustworthy and reliable heating and air conditioning service. When you are ready to install new heating equipment, our HVAC service team looks forward to assisting you.
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