Heat pump vs Furnace in Pierce County, Washington
When a heat pump makes sense
If your home heats with electricity now, a heat pump is the natural upgrade, since it moves heat instead of making it and gives you cooling too. Winter nights here average 31°F, which is well within what a cold-climate heat pump is built to handle. Just make sure whatever gets installed is rated for cold climates, since standard models lose heating power at those temperatures.
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has a gas line and gas heat, staying with a furnace makes sense. Natural gas runs at least 5% cheaper than a heat pump at Washington prices, and a furnace holds its full heating power no matter how cold it gets outside. It won't cool your home in summer, so that part still needs its own answer.
When a heat pump makes sense
If your home heats with electricity now, a heat pump is the natural upgrade, since it moves heat instead of making it and gives you cooling too. Winter nights here average 31°F, which is well within what a cold-climate heat pump is built to handle. Just make sure whatever gets installed is rated for cold climates, since standard models lose heating power at those temperatures.
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has a gas line and gas heat, staying with a furnace makes sense. Natural gas runs at least 5% cheaper than a heat pump at Washington prices, and a furnace holds its full heating power no matter how cold it gets outside. It won't cool your home in summer, so that part still needs its own answer.
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
Heat pump wins in Pierce County.
Most homes here already run on electric heat, so a heat pump fits what your house is set up for without adding gas service.
If your home already has gas line and you want the lowest possible heating bill and don't need air conditioning, a furnace still makes sense.
Find a contractor| Compared on | Heat pump | Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to run here | Costs more to run | At least 5% less to run |
| What it does | Heats and cools | Heats only |
| Homes in the Pacific states that heat with one | 4.8% | 56.9% |
| Handles a 31°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 your home heats with electricity now, a heat pump is the natural upgrade, since it moves heat instead of making it and gives you cooling too. Winter nights here average 31°F, which is well within what a cold-climate heat pump is built to handle. Just make sure whatever gets installed is rated for cold climates, since standard models lose heating power at those temperatures.
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has a gas line and gas heat, staying with a furnace makes sense. Natural gas runs at least 5% cheaper than a heat pump at Washington prices, and a furnace holds its full heating power no matter how cold it gets outside. It won't cool your home in summer, so that part still needs its own answer.
A Pierce County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
Tell us about the job
It takes about a minute.