Furnace vs Heat Pump in Colorado
Until recently, heat pumps were not a viable option for homes in colder climates, even places like Denver with mild winters. Now heat pumps can be used anywhere in the country, so the question is, do you choose a furnace or a heat pump?
Unfortunately, there is not a clear answer as to which system is better. Every home is different and the pros and cons of each system could sway your decision. Below are the most important factors to consider when choosing between a furnace and a heat pump for your Colorado home. We highly recommend speaking to an HVAC professional like Grand Home Services for a personal recommendation!
Gas vs. Electric
If your home does not have a gas line, then you cannot get a furnace. Furnaces run on natural gas and heat pumps run on electricity. It is very uncommon to have a home in Colorado without a gas line, so chances are you can still choose between both systems. If you have both gas and electricity, you have the opportunity to have a dual fuel system.
Dual Fuel System
If your home has access to both electricity and natural gas, you might want to consider a dual fuel system. Heat pumps are most efficient above freezing and can both heat and cool your home, and gas furnaces are much more efficient below freezing. Keeping both units running in their ideal temperature range allows you to keep the lowest possible operation cost during the winter.
A dual fuel system is best for those who do not have an air conditioner and already have a functioning gas furnace. If you do not have a heat pump or a furnace, a dual fuel system is not recommended.
No Air Conditioner
If you do not have an air conditioner, a heat pump will kill two birds with one stone as it can both heat and cool your home. If you do have an air conditioner, it is likely more cost effective for you to get a furnace.
Cost
The initial cost of a heat pump is typically more than a furnace, but keep in mind the unit runs year-round for heating and cooling. Because the unit runs year-round, it tends to have a shorter lifespan at about 10-15 years. Furnaces average a lifespan of 15-20 years. With regular maintenance and cleaning, it is not hard to have a heat pump for 15 years.
The operating cost for a heat pump tends to be more expensive when not coupled with a furnace as a dual fuel system. It’s not uncommon to have below freezing nights here in Colorado, and between the low cost of natural gas and efficiency of furnaces running below freezing, furnaces are typically the best choice for single unit heating.
As mentioned above, if you do not have an air conditioner and you have a functioning furnace, getting a heat pump would be the most cost-efficient in terms of operating costs. The heat pump would run on electricity in the summer just like an air conditioner and the furnace would run below freezing temperatures.
Everyone’s home, wants and needs are different. Please speak to one or two HVAC professionals to get a recommendation perfect for your situation. If you are near us in Aurora or anywhere in the Denver Metro Area, Grand Home Services is here to help. We repair and install furnaces, heat pumps, and dual fuel systems. Contact us online or give us a call today to get started!
Pros and Cons of a Whole Home Humidifier in Denver
In dry cities like Denver, the humidity is so low that it often has negative effects on our health, like a stuffy nose, itchy skin, scratchy throat and an increased risk of infection. While portable humidifiers help take the edge off, they will not raise the humidity of your entire home and they need to be filled regularly.
One of the best ways to increase the humidity of your home is with a whole home humidifier. These humidifiers are free-standing and often connect to your duct system, allowing humidity to be carried throughout the home.
Here are the biggest pros and cons to having a whole home humidifier instead of a small portable humidifier.
Pro #1: Humidity Control
With small humidifiers there is no telling how much it is raising the humidity in your room or household. With a whole home humidifier, the humidity is controlled with a humidistat and can be set to the desired level.
Pro #2: Minimal Maintenance
Whole home humidifiers have their own water supply so you do not have to worry about filling up a tank every time it runs out. With ducted humidifiers, all you have to do is change the evaporator panel (filter) once a year and lightly clean around the filter. This level of maintenance is unachievable with a small mobile humidifier.
Pro #3: Better Health
The air quality of your home has a huge impact on your health. With low humidity, your body is at a higher risk of allergies, respiratory conditions, and even infections. Here in Colorado, the humidity often drops below 20%, and the ideal humidity for your health is between 30% and 40%.
Con #1: Expense
There is no question that a small mobile humidifier is much less expensive than a whole home humidifier. While a decent quality humidifier will run between $30 and $100, a whole home humidifier will run between $400 and $1200 and that is not including installation. Thankfully, this is a one-time cost and as mentioned above, the unit requires almost no maintenance.
Note: We strongly recommend speaking to a professional if you are interested in installing a new unit as it requires HVAC, plumbing and electrical expertise.
Con #2: Mold and Mildew
Just like a small mobile humidifier, mold and mildew are always a risk with whole home humidifiers. With regular maintenance and cleaning this should not be an issue but could quickly become a health hazard if ignored. All it takes is a small amount of cleaning and a filter change once or twice a year to avoid this problem.
Are whole home humidifiers really worth it? In some parts of the country with higher humidity levels, there really is no need. In places like Colorado with extremely dry winters, low humidity is detrimental to your health and a humidifier is highly recommended. From the low maintenance to automatic humidity control, whole home humidifiers are far better than small mobile humidifiers.
If you are near us in Aurora, Colorado or anywhere in the Denver Metro Area, Grand Home Services would be happy to help you with a whole home humidifier. Contact us online or give us a call today to get started!
