Heat Pump vs Furnace
Heat pumps move heat; furnaces burn gas to make it. Which is right for a Utah home depends on elevation, electric rates, and how you feel about $7,500 federal tax credits.
Heat Pump
Refrigerant-cycle heating + cooling, one unit
- Heating AND cooling from one piece of equipment
- Cold-climate models work efficiently to -15°F (Utah's coldest design temp)
- IRA federal tax credit up to $2,000 + Utah utility rebates
- 2x-3x the heating efficiency of a gas furnace (COP 2.5-3.5 vs 0.92)
- Lower carbon footprint as the Utah grid greens
- Higher upfront cost ($12,000-$18,000 vs $5,000-$8,000 furnace)
- Backup heat needed below your model's economic balance point (usually 15-25°F)
- Sized differently than a gas furnace — heat pumps benefit from low-and-slow operation
- Electric rates matter — at Rocky Mountain Power's residential tier, the math works; some out-of-state utilities won't
Homes already needing AC replacement, homes on tight building envelopes, customers who want to maximize tax credits and don't mind paying more upfront for lower operating cost.
Furnace
Gas combustion — proven, reliable, cheaper upfront
- Lowest install cost — typically half a heat pump
- Doesn't care how cold it gets — gas combustion is unaffected by outdoor temps
- Familiar — every Utah HVAC tech can diagnose one
- 20-year typical lifespan on a well-maintained 96% AFUE unit
- Single-purpose — you still need a separate AC
- Combustion appliance — requires venting, gas line, CO detector
- Operating cost can be higher than a heat pump on cheap-electricity utilities
- No federal tax credit (HVAC IRA credits go to heat pumps)
Homes with an existing gas line, customers on tight budgets, replacing in winter when AC isn't on the priority list, or backup heat for a dual-fuel system.
Our Recommendation
For most Utah homes we install today: a heat pump as the primary, with a 96% AFUE gas furnace as the backup (a 'dual-fuel' system). You get heat pump efficiency above 20°F (which is most of the heating season here), the furnace takes over on the 5°F nights, and you collect the IRA tax credit on the heat pump portion. If budget is tight and AC isn't broken, a 96% AFUE furnace alone is still a great install — the math just doesn't favor it long-term.
Common Questions
Will a heat pump actually heat my Utah home in winter?▼
Yes — but you need a cold-climate (CCHP) model rated for low-ambient operation, not the entry-level units sold in Texas. We size for Utah's winter design temp (0°F at sea level, lower in Wasatch/Summit County) and pair with backup heat for sub-15°F nights. A modern Mitsubishi Hyper Heat or Carrier Infinity Variable-Speed will heat down to -15°F without resistance heat.
What's the IRA tax credit and do I qualify?▼
The federal 25C credit covers 30% of the heat pump install up to $2,000 per year, plus you may stack Utah utility rebates ($500-$1,000 typical) and Rocky Mountain Power's wattsmart program. We handle the paperwork at the install — you just file Form 5695 with your taxes.
Can I just convert my existing AC + furnace setup?▼
Not 1:1 — heat pumps need a matched indoor coil and a thermostat that knows how to manage refrigerant-cycle heating. If your AC is past 12 years and your furnace is past 15, the replacement window is the right time to switch. If only one is dying, dual-fuel is the better path.
Still on the fence?
Free in-home estimates with both/all options quoted side-by-side. No pressure, no obligation — just the numbers for your home.
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