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Heat Pumps vs. Furnaces

Anchor Heating and Air is your #StillLocal heating & air conditioning company serving Charleston, SC and the surrounding areas. 

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Written by
Stephanie Postell
Heat Pumps vs. Furnaces

Helpful Information

Being knowledgeable about your home’s heating system can be useful for reasons such as identifying issues early and choosing the right unit. If you feel clueless when it comes to your heating system, we promise you aren’t alone! We don’t expect you to be the experts, that is what we are here for. In this blog, we will explain the difference between heat pumps and furnaces and how each can benefit your home.

What Is The Difference Between A Heat Pump & A Furnace?

Two common heating systems for homes in Charleston are heat pumps and furnaces. Both can keep your home warm and cozy this winter, but also have different advantages. When evaluating which is the best choice for your home, it is important to consider how the system operates, maintenance requirements, efficiency, and size. Below we will explain the difference between heat pumps and furnaces.

What Is A Heat Pump?

Contrary to its name, heat pumps provide heating and cooling for homes. Heat pumps are energy efficient devices due to transferring heat rather than creating it. In the winter, heat pumps take heat from outdoor air or the ground and relocate it inside your home. The process is reversed for the summer, transferring heat from inside your home outdoors. Heat pumps operate with both an inside and outside unit connected by refrigerant lines. Major sub components of the system are the compressor, reversing valve, expansion valve, and refrigerant. The three main types of heat pumps connected by ducts are air-to-air, water source, and geothermal.

Benefits Of Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are quality heating choices in many areas, but especially climates like West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, and surrounding areas where temperatures rarely dip below freezing. On average, heat pumps need about 24 inches of clearance on all sides. Below we listed four benefits of heat pumps.

  • Energy Efficiency
  • Versatile
  • Environmentally Friendly
  • Improve Air Quality

Energy Efficiency

Heat pumps are highly energy efficient, because they move heat rather than generate it. According to the U.S. Department Of Energy, ducted air source heat pumps can reduce electricity use by approximately 50% compared to furnaces. Similarly, geothermal heat pumps can reduce energy use by 30-60%.

Versatile

Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling from one device. The two-in-one system saves the trouble and money of purchasing both an air conditioner and heating unit. Additionally, the flexible system can save on maintenance costs rather than repairing two systems.

Environmentally Friendly

Heat pumps do not burn fossil fuels or release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Homeowners can reduce their carbon footprint by utilizing a heat pump in their home. Additionally, heat pumps reduce energy consumption and can provide sustainable comfort.

Improve Air Quality

Heat pumps filter fresh air before distributing it throughout your home, which removes any mold spores, dust, and other allergens. Due to the device not generating heat, it does not produce fumes or harmful gasses that can affect your health.

What Is A Furnace?

A furnace is a reliable heating unit that generates and distributes heat around your home. The four main types of furnaces are natural gas, oil, electric, and propane. When prompted by the thermostat, a fan switches on and circulates warm air through your home. However, the type of furnace your home utilizes determines how the heat is transferred.

Natural gas furnaces are the most common type due to efficiency levels.

Oil furnaces are more common in the northeast and typically have a lower upfront cost.

Electric furnaces are budget friendly and can last for many years, but typically cause higher utility bills.

Propane furnaces are a quality choice if gas and oil are not easily accessible in your area.

Benefits Of Furnaces

Furnaces can heat homes in all climates. On average, furnaces take up about 30 inches of space and are generally stored in basements, garages, or closets. Furnaces can provide many benefits to your Charleston home, such as:

  • Long Lifespan
  • Effective Heating
  • Flexibility

Long Lifespan

Compared to most heating options, furnaces can last the longest before needing to be replaced. With routine maintenance, furnaces can provide quality heating to your home for 20 years. A furnace could be a good option for your home in Sullivan’s Island or surrounding areas if you plan on staying long term.

Effective Heating

Furnace systems can heat your home quickly and efficiently whenever needed. Furnaces have a higher heat output than other heating choices and can effectively heat homes in extremely cold temperatures. Additionally, furnaces provide consistent heating and avoid cold spots throughout your home.

Flexibility

Furnaces are a flexible heating option due to the many types of systems. Natural gas is the most common furnace choice, but there are other options available depending on preference and availability. Furnaces come in a variety of sizes and can accommodate your home’s energy needs.

Both heat pumps and furnaces can keep you cozy all winter long and provide many advantages to your home. If you are interested in furnace or heat pump installation or replacement in Charleston or surrounding areas, give us a call!

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About The Author

Stephanie Postell

Stephanie is the Co-Owner and COO of Anchor Heating and Air and is a lifelong resident of Charleston, South Carolina. Stephanie and her husband David have over 30 years experience in heating and air conditioning.
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Great service call and solid recommendations on caring for the system .Excellent job and counsel from Brandon
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Jack and Ryan from Anchor heating n air . They are 2 really great guys honest respectful. Clean workers go above and beyond they really helped my family out . They are not out for your money they try to save you money ,and that’s rare these days .I have a maintenance plan with them so they take care of everything.
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The technicians were very knowledgable, friendly and most important ON TIME. If you need help with your heating and air condition these are the people to call.
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Thanks Rick & Anchor Heating & Air for saving us another time. Timely, friendly, helpful & knowledgeable. Thanks all.
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Great service! Rick was super!Update to add Jonathan came out for our 2nd service and he was outstanding as well.
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Brandon provided great service and took the time to explain all of the options in a digestible way. He went above and beyond to diagnose the issue and try various solutions. One of the best service appointments and most knowledgeable technicians I have had and will definitely be using Anchor again.
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Very knowledgeable staff. Everyone they send is willing to explain all details and are very helpful.
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On time. Polite and professional. Knowledgeable and showed pictures of work before and after. Made suggestions for later work. Wore shoe covers which shows he’s respectful. Diane
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We chose Anchor Heating and Air Conditioning for our recent issues with our AC and I'm so glad we did! We were very impressed with our technician, Brandon. He was amazing from start to finish with this whole ordeal. He was courteous, efficient and extremely knowledgeable. He diagnosed our problem and explained our options and the whole process. We were given a loner window unit while we waited for the part to come in. The day of the install went smoothly and Brandon had our AC up and running within a few hours. I can't recommend this company enough because the whole experience was pleasant and as stress free as could be!
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Anchor Heating & Air is one of the best HVAC companies I have ever used.Caitlyn (sp?) was super responsive, very thorough, accommodating, and pleasant. She got me on the schedule right away.Technician Brandon Cobb is beyond top-notch. Punctual, personable, professional, attentive, thorough, explained everything really well, answered my various questions, and most importantly, resolved my issue!I highly recommend Anchor Heating & Air and I am looking forward to them maintaining my system ongoing.
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Jack and Ryan were knowledgeable and honest in helping us navigate the complexity of our HVAC needs. I highly recommend Anchor Heating and Air. The entire team is responsive and ready to assist you will all your HVAC needs.
Cory R.
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Debby M.
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Had a new system installed yesterday Everything was explained before signing contract. Our techs were very professional, neat , placed a window AC unit in our bedroom and living room to keep us comfortable while the system they were replacing was shut down.
Dan P.
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Garren B.
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I can not say enough good things about this company. From the office to the technician has been a great pleasure to work with. Brandon our technician was absolutely amazing. He explained everything in great detail during our maintenance call. The office staff was great to work with in scheduling.
Lisa O.
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I will definitely recommend Anchor in the future. The office was friendly when I called and they were able to schedule an appointment for the next day. Doug, the tech, was very professional and gave me clear explanations of the problems and the work necessary. They made a frustrating situation much easier.
tammy H.
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Always great!
Bruce N.
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Brian and Jeffery were great. They performed a very thorough service and offered some ideas to improve our systems.
Laura S.
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Excellent Company! So glad they bought out Green Dot as well! Looks like they are getting the reputation back that Island Mechanical had for years on Johns Island. I fired Green Dot!
Joel M.
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Great service and very respectful! Highly recommended.
Jeanette K.
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The team at Anchor Heating & Air are the best. Stephanie set us up with the soonest available appointment. Rick arrived at the specified time. Rick was personable, professional, very thorough and though the repair turned out to be extensive, Anchor offered a window AC unit for nighttime comfort. While the part was being acquired for our repair, Jack delivered the AC unit. Jack was equally personable & professional. Then there is Alyssa who called with our estimate & scheduled the final repair. Alyssa is equally as wonderful as Rick & Jack, which brings us back to Rick, who arrived this morning with the part, completed the repair and we are now sitting in the comfort of our air conditioned home. This wonderful team of people are the first company that we’ve worked with in this capacity who are truly empathetic, truly understand how their clients feel and do everything possible to ensure the best experience. It’s not what they do, it’s who they are. We are extremely grateful!
chris R.
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They are amazing to deal with. Easy scheduling showed up on time. Did amazing work excellent communication and I personally think they saved my house from burning down. They came and inspected my dryer vent. Needless to say it was very very bad. Check out the before and after photos I would definitely recommend them for all your HVAC ductwork needs
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Very helpful and knowledgeable. Overall great experience.
Al M.
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Great customer service, professional and polite!
Ryan W.
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Unbelievable experience! My AC stopped working last week. I left a message last Wednesday night and was up and running before noon on Thursday. Outstanding! Alyssa called me first thing in the morning to get me on the schedule and Doug was there before 10am to fix the problem. He was absolutely fantastic and took care of everything. Thank you guys so much for taking care of me. 10/10! I highly recommend Anchor for AC help.
Chad H.
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Showed up on time. Very professional. Very knowledgeable. Definitely would use again.
Chrissy Gregory DNP MSN MBA RN A.
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There was a one-day delay on parts, but 5-Star for sure!!!
Leslie H.
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Doug was so nice, courteous and fixed the issue quickly! I’m so glad I reached out to Anchor Heating & air!
Marc O.
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5 stars for Brandon: he did a first-rate job for our annual HVAC service. He was knowledgeable, courteous, and a pleasure to deal with.
Quero D.
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It would be good to not receive multiple review requests until you guys do the actual service. I have received 4 requests to provide 5 star reviews but you are not scheduled to do the service until next week. However, once the service guy, Ron turned up he was great, professional, knowledgeable and explained everything he was doing and made recommendations to keep the units in good shape - thank you Ron.
Stuart B.
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Appreciate the friendliness and professionalism of Jeremy Lee who came out to provide an estimate for a replacement HVAC system. Jeremy spoke highly of Anchor and the friendliness of his co-workers. It would have been great to do business with the folks at Anchor just based on what Jeremy thought of his colleagues. I received a call from a co-owner, David who reached out to me to find out what I was thinking. Great family business and when circumstances allow, I will reach out to them again.
G R.
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They are on-time professionals who know what they're doing.
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René M.
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Brian was amazing and found the issue within minutes, which was not identified by 3 other companies
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