Heat pump vs Furnace in Pima County, Arizona
When a heat pump makes sense
If your home already has central air, a heat pump is the straightforward choice. Winters here are mild enough that a heat pump keeps up without much strain, and you get cooling from the same system come summer. At Arizona electricity and gas prices, it costs about 20% less to run than a furnace over the year.
When a furnace makes sense
If you already have gas line to the house and a furnace that still has years left in it, there is no need to rip it out. A furnace also makes sense if you want your heating to run on gas rather than electricity, whatever the reason. You will pay more to heat with it than with a heat pump at Arizona rates, but the difference is smaller here than in colder states since you are only running it a few months a year.
When a heat pump makes sense
If your home already has central air, a heat pump is the straightforward choice. Winters here are mild enough that a heat pump keeps up without much strain, and you get cooling from the same system come summer. At Arizona electricity and gas prices, it costs about 20% less to run than a furnace over the year.
When a furnace makes sense
If you already have gas line to the house and a furnace that still has years left in it, there is no need to rip it out. A furnace also makes sense if you want your heating to run on gas rather than electricity, whatever the reason. You will pay more to heat with it than with a heat pump at Arizona rates, but the difference is smaller here than in colder states since you are only running it a few months a year.
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 Pima County.
Winter nights here only drop to about 38°F, mild enough for a heat pump to work efficiently, and it'll cost you 20% less than gas.
If your home already has a gas line and you would rather keep cooling separate, a furnace still gets the job done.
Find a contractor| Compared on | Heat pump | Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to run here | About 20% less to run | Costs more to run |
| What it does | Heats and cools | Heats only |
| Homes in the Mountain West that heat with one | 9.1% | 69.6% |
| Handles a 38°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 has central air, a heat pump is the straightforward choice. Winters here are mild enough that a heat pump keeps up without much strain, and you get cooling from the same system come summer. At Arizona electricity and gas prices, it costs about 20% less to run than a furnace over the year.
When a furnace makes sense
If you already have gas line to the house and a furnace that still has years left in it, there is no need to rip it out. A furnace also makes sense if you want your heating to run on gas rather than electricity, whatever the reason. You will pay more to heat with it than with a heat pump at Arizona rates, but the difference is smaller here than in colder states since you are only running it a few months a year.
A Pima County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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