Heat pump vs Furnace in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling and heating from one system and don't already have gas line to the house. Look for a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power once temperatures drop toward what this area sees on winter nights. Even then, expect to pay more to heat with electricity here than a neighbor heating with gas.
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has a gas line, a furnace is the cheaper way to get through a winter that runs about eight months here, with nights averaging 23°F. Natural gas costs at least 30% less than electricity for heating at Pennsylvania rates, which is why most homes in this area heat with gas. The tradeoff is that a furnace only heats, so you would still need separate cooling for summer.
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling and heating from one system and don't already have gas line to the house. Look for a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power once temperatures drop toward what this area sees on winter nights. Even then, expect to pay more to heat with electricity here than a neighbor heating with gas.
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has a gas line, a furnace is the cheaper way to get through a winter that runs about eight months here, with nights averaging 23°F. Natural gas costs at least 30% less than electricity for heating at Pennsylvania rates, which is why most homes in this area heat with gas. The tradeoff is that a furnace only heats, so you would still need separate cooling for summer.
Heat pump
- Runs on
- Electricity
- What it does
- Heats and cools
- Tax credit
- No federal tax credit since the end of 2025
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy · Internal Revenue Code
Furnace
- Runs on
- Natural gas
- What it does
- Heats only
- Tax credit
- No federal tax credit since the end of 2025
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy · Internal Revenue Code
Furnace wins in Westmoreland County.
Gas heat costs at least 30% less than a heat pump here, and most homes around you are already set up for it.
If your home has no gas line to it, a cold-climate heat pump will still heat it through a Westmoreland County winter, and cool it come summer.
Find a contractor| Compared on | Heat pump | Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to run here | Costs more to run | At least 30% less to run |
| What it does | Heats and cools | Heats only |
| Homes in the Mid-Atlantic that heat with one | 4.2% | 51.4% |
| Handles a 23°F night | Standard models lose heating power in the cold; cold-climate models are built for it | Yes |
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, NOAA
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling and heating from one system and don't already have gas line to the house. Look for a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power once temperatures drop toward what this area sees on winter nights. Even then, expect to pay more to heat with electricity here than a neighbor heating with gas.
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has a gas line, a furnace is the cheaper way to get through a winter that runs about eight months here, with nights averaging 23°F. Natural gas costs at least 30% less than electricity for heating at Pennsylvania rates, which is why most homes in this area heat with gas. The tradeoff is that a furnace only heats, so you would still need separate cooling for summer.
A Westmoreland County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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