Heat pumps have become the go-to heating technology for homeowners who care about efficiency. They are especially popular in regions of the South and Southwest, where conditions are perfect for using heat pumps. Many folks in Colorado Springs, CO still have a furnace or a boiler for a variety of legitimate reasons. Is it smart to switch to a heat pump or stick with a furnace?
What Is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump uses the same principle as an air conditioner, but it adds a reversible system. In the same way that AC pushes heat outside, a heat pump can push warmth inside instead of creating it. At moderate temperatures, you can move two to four units of energy for every one spent, making a heat pump impressively efficient. For comparison, many furnaces create 0.8 to 0.95 units of energy for every one unit spent.
The downside of a heat pump is that its efficiency declines as the temperature gets lower. Modern cold-climate heat pumps can maintain higher efficiency compared to a furnace below 0°F.
Heat Pump Types
A ducted air source heat pump is equipment that replaces a traditional furnace in a home. This offers maximum retrofitting capacity, but it wastes some of the efficiency through heat loss during duct delivery.
A ductless mini-split heat pump runs refrigerant lines to air handlers in each room. The big advantage of this setup is improved efficiency. The lines are well insulated, and HVAC refrigerant doesn’t lose energy anywhere near as fast as air.
Cold-climate heat pumps (CCHPs) serve very cold regions quite well. For example, ultra-efficient models operate efficiently down to -10°F to -20°F. The performance curve still declines, but it evens out with furnaces at a much lower mark.
How Heat Pumps Work in Colorado Climate
This region sees January-average lows in the teens, and the worst multi-day cold snaps stay below zero at night. Correct sizing is important because an undersized heat pump will waste efficiency benefits trying to warm a larger house than its rating. An incorrectly sized unit will experience airflow issues, leading to hot or cold spots and system problems.
Likewise, backup heat sources are desirable in our climate. Some heat pumps offer either a gas or electric furnace that only kicks on when the efficiency drops. This gives you the efficiency of a standard heat pump while offering the Arctic-weather comfort assurance of a furnace.
Heat Pump vs. Furnace: Cost Comparison
The upfront cost of a ducted heat pump lands in the mid-thousands to more than $10,000. The equipment quality tier is the biggest cost factor. You may also need to schedule an electrical panel upgrade to support the added capacity. The tradeoff is that a heat pump offers better efficiency on all but the most bitterly cold days. There are also federal tax credits for qualifying heat pump technologies.
A furnace replacement runs between $3,000 and $6,500. The main benefit is a lower upfront cost, but the price isn’t negligible. Heating a home is expensive, and the efficiency cost combined with the installation price will likely be a net loss over a decade of operation. The tightness of your home envelope can also impact operating costs. Furnaces also have more moving parts, and that leads to more repair bills.
Energy Efficiency at Altitude
Duct leakage is a substantial heating problem. You can lose 20% to 40% of your efficiency by air escaping your ducts. Home insulation improves efficiency significantly and minimizes wear and tear. Also, our technicians can make sure the load calculation for your household’s needs matches the system that goes in.
When Dual Fuel Makes Sense
Dual-fuel systems include a heat pump along with a backup-source furnace. Typically, the backup unit will turn on when the outdoor temperature is around 30°F. This maximizes comfort while also supporting efficiency. Most of the time in Colorado Springs, outdoor temperatures are above 30°F.
FAQs
Heat pumps are new to many homeowners, especially in our region. To familiarize yourself, check out the following frequently asked questions.
Schedule a Heating System Assessment With Elevation Mechanical
Elevation Mechanical can handle everything from load calculations to system installation. We have an A+ rating with the BBB and are fully licensed and insured. Our team has decades of experience, and our work comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
If you’re planning to install a heat pump in Colorado Springs, contact Elevation Mechanical today.