Heat pump vs Furnace in Yakima County, Washington
When a heat pump makes sense
If your home already heats with electricity, a heat pump is the straightforward choice. Look for a cold-climate model, since winter nights here average 24°F and a standard heat pump loses heating power at those temperatures. You also get cooling from the same system, which a furnace cannot give you.
When a furnace makes sense
If gas line is already run to your home, a furnace is worth weighing against the heat pump. Natural gas costs at least 5% less to heat with here at Washington prices, and a furnace holds its output no matter how cold the night gets. It will not cool your home, so you would still need a separate system for summer.
When a heat pump makes sense
If your home already heats with electricity, a heat pump is the straightforward choice. Look for a cold-climate model, since winter nights here average 24°F and a standard heat pump loses heating power at those temperatures. You also get cooling from the same system, which a furnace cannot give you.
When a furnace makes sense
If gas line is already run to your home, a furnace is worth weighing against the heat pump. Natural gas costs at least 5% less to heat with here at Washington prices, and a furnace holds its output no matter how cold the night gets. It will not cool your home, so you would still need a separate system 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
Heat pump wins in Yakima County.
Most homes in Yakima County already heat with electricity, so a heat pump fits your setup better and cools your home too.
If your home already has gas line service and you want the lowest possible heating cost on nights near 24°F, a furnace is still worth choosing over a heat pump.
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 24°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 already heats with electricity, a heat pump is the straightforward choice. Look for a cold-climate model, since winter nights here average 24°F and a standard heat pump loses heating power at those temperatures. You also get cooling from the same system, which a furnace cannot give you.
When a furnace makes sense
If gas line is already run to your home, a furnace is worth weighing against the heat pump. Natural gas costs at least 5% less to heat with here at Washington prices, and a furnace holds its output no matter how cold the night gets. It will not cool your home, so you would still need a separate system for summer.
A Yakima County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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