Heat pump vs Furnace in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
When a heat pump makes sense
If you want central air conditioning along with heat and like the idea of running on electricity instead of gas, a cold-climate heat pump can do the job here, even with winter nights averaging 27°F. Just know you'll likely be paying more to heat through those seven months than a gas furnace would cost you at Pennsylvania's rates. It suits someone who values having one system for both jobs more than they value the lowest monthly bill.
When a furnace makes sense
If your house already has gas line, a furnace is the cheaper way to heat it, running at least 30% less than a heat pump at Pennsylvania's prices. It also doesn't lose any output when temperatures drop, which matters when nights average 27°F for months at a stretch. This is the path most homes around you have already chosen, and the numbers back it up.
When a heat pump makes sense
If you want central air conditioning along with heat and like the idea of running on electricity instead of gas, a cold-climate heat pump can do the job here, even with winter nights averaging 27°F. Just know you'll likely be paying more to heat through those seven months than a gas furnace would cost you at Pennsylvania's rates. It suits someone who values having one system for both jobs more than they value the lowest monthly bill.
When a furnace makes sense
If your house already has gas line, a furnace is the cheaper way to heat it, running at least 30% less than a heat pump at Pennsylvania's prices. It also doesn't lose any output when temperatures drop, which matters when nights average 27°F for months at a stretch. This is the path most homes around you have already chosen, and the numbers back it up.
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 Philadelphia County.
Gas heat costs at least 30% less here than a heat pump, and most homes in the county already have the gas line for it.
If your home has no gas line and you would rather not add one, a cold-climate heat pump will still heat it through winter and cool it in 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 27°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
If you want central air conditioning along with heat and like the idea of running on electricity instead of gas, a cold-climate heat pump can do the job here, even with winter nights averaging 27°F. Just know you'll likely be paying more to heat through those seven months than a gas furnace would cost you at Pennsylvania's rates. It suits someone who values having one system for both jobs more than they value the lowest monthly bill.
When a furnace makes sense
If your house already has gas line, a furnace is the cheaper way to heat it, running at least 30% less than a heat pump at Pennsylvania's prices. It also doesn't lose any output when temperatures drop, which matters when nights average 27°F for months at a stretch. This is the path most homes around you have already chosen, and the numbers back it up.
A Philadelphia County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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