A heat pump uses electricity to move heat and also cools your home. A gas furnace burns natural gas to make heat and pairs with a separate air conditioner. Both can work well in Central Arkansas. The right choice depends on gas service at your home, your ductwork, your utility rates and how you like your home to feel.
How does a heat pump heat a home?
A heat pump pulls heat out of the outdoor air and moves it inside. In summer it runs the other way and works as your air conditioner.
The outdoor unit and indoor air handler are connected by refrigerant lines. A part called the reversing valve flips the direction the refrigerant flows, so the same system cools in July and heats in January.
Heating efficiency is rated in HSPF2 and cooling efficiency in SEER2. A heat pump does not make heat by burning fuel, so it can deliver more heat than the electricity it uses on mild days.
As the outdoor temperature drops, a heat pump has less heat to collect. On the coldest mornings, auxiliary heat (usually electric heat strips in the air handler) kicks in to help. Aux heat costs more to run, which is why correct sizing matters.
How does a gas furnace heat a home?
A gas furnace burns natural gas inside a heat exchanger, then a blower pushes the warm air through your ducts. It handles heating only and pairs with a separate AC.
Furnace efficiency is rated in AFUE, which tells you how much of the gas becomes usable heat in your home. Your air conditioner carries its own SEER2 rating.
A furnace puts out the same heat on a mild day or in a cold snap, and the air at the vents feels noticeably warm. It needs a gas line, a flue or vent to carry combustion gases outside, and regular safety checks of the burners, flame sensor and heat exchanger.
What are the pros and cons of each?
A heat pump gives you one system for both seasons and no combustion. A furnace gives steady heat in any weather but needs gas, venting and a separate AC.
- Heat pump pro: one outdoor unit handles heating and cooling.
- Heat pump pro: no gas burning in the home, so no flue to maintain.
- Heat pump con: heat output drops in hard cold and auxiliary heat runs more often.
- Heat pump con: it runs all year, so both spring and fall checkups matter.
- Furnace pro: warm supply air and steady output no matter the outdoor temperature.
- Furnace pro: works well when your home already has gas service and venting.
- Furnace con: needs a gas line, a vent and combustion safety checks.
- Furnace con: you still need a separate air conditioner for summer.
Which one fits your home?
If your home has no gas service, a heat pump is usually the simpler path. If you already have gas and like very warm air at the vents, a furnace often makes sense.
Running cost depends on your own electric and gas rates and how efficient the new equipment is, so there is no one answer for every house. Your past utility bills are a good starting point for the conversation.
Also think about what else is due. If your AC and furnace are both near the end of their life, replacing both with a heat pump system is worth comparing against a new furnace plus a new AC. If only the furnace is failing and your AC is newer, keeping gas heat may be the easier fit.
Sizing matters either way. We run a Manual J load calculation when the home calls for it, such as after an addition or when the old system never kept up.
How does CASC help you choose?
We give free estimates on HVAC replacements. Your technician looks at your home, ductwork and gas service, then lays out Good, Better and Best options for each path.
CASC installs Rheem heating and cooling equipment and is a Rheem Pro Partner. New HVAC installs carry a 10-year parts and 2-year labor warranty, with labor covered by CASC, and you can add an optional 5- or 10-year extended labor plan.
Financing options available. Ask about current manufacturer rebates and available offers when we meet.
How do Heat pump and Gas furnace compare?
| Question | Heat pump | Gas furnace |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Moves heat from outdoor air with refrigerant; reverses to cool in summer | Burns natural gas in a heat exchanger; pairs with a separate AC |
| Good fit for | All-electric homes or owners who want one system for both seasons | Homes with gas service and owners who like very warm supply air |
| Efficiency rating | SEER2 for cooling, HSPF2 for heating | AFUE for heating; the AC has its own SEER2 |
| Cold-weather output | Drops as it gets colder; auxiliary heat backs it up | Same output no matter the outdoor temperature |
| Upfront vs running cost | Replaces both AC and heat source; running cost tracks your electric rate | Needs gas and venting plus an AC; running cost tracks your gas rate |
| Maintenance | Runs year-round, so spring and fall visits both matter | Fall visit checks burners, flame sensor and venting; AC still needs a spring visit |
| Space and install | Outdoor unit plus indoor air handler; no flue | Indoor furnace with a flue, gas line and an outdoor AC |
| What CASC installs | Rheem heat pumps | Rheem gas furnaces |
Running costs depend on your local electric and gas rates. We do not publish replacement prices because every home is different.
Frequently asked questions
Is a heat pump warm enough for a Central Arkansas winter?
For most homes, yes. Winters here are generally mild compared with northern states, and auxiliary heat helps on the coldest mornings. A properly sized system and healthy ductwork make the biggest difference in how warm the house feels.
Which one costs less to run?
It depends on your electric and gas rates, the efficiency ratings of the equipment and how your home holds heat. Bring a few recent utility bills to your free replacement estimate and we can talk through the tradeoffs for your house.
Can I keep my gas furnace and add a heat pump?
Some homes pair a heat pump with a gas furnace so each runs when it makes the most sense. Whether that setup fits your home is a good question to ask during your free replacement estimate.
Do I need new ductwork to switch?
Not always. Existing ducts can often be reused if they are the right size and in good shape. We check your ductwork and airflow as part of the estimate and tell you what we find.
Terms on this page
Related guides
- How central air and heat pumps work A central air conditioner moves heat from inside your home to the outdoors using refrigerant, an indoor coil, an outdoor compressor and a blower. A heat pump uses the same parts plus a reversing valve, so it can run the cycle backward in winter and bring heat inside instead.
- SEER2, HSPF2 and AFUE explained SEER2 rates how efficiently an air conditioner or heat pump cools over a season. HSPF2 rates how efficiently a heat pump heats. AFUE rates how much of a gas furnace's fuel becomes heat in your home. Higher numbers use less energy, but only when the system is sized and installed correctly.
- Good, Better, Best: how CASC lays out replacement options When you replace your heating or cooling system, CASC shows you Good, Better and Best options. Each step up changes the equipment, efficiency rating, comfort features and price. Sizing, installation quality, permits and our warranty stay the same. You pick the option that matches your comfort goals, how long you plan to stay and your budget.
- Get a free replacement estimate CASC gives free estimates on HVAC replacements, larger plumbing projects like water-heater installs, repipes and sewer replacements, and commercial HVAC projects. A technician visits, looks at your current equipment and home, sizes the job and walks you through options. Request yours through our contact form or call 501-307-1310.
Not sure which heat source fits your home?
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