Heat pump vs Furnace in Mesa County, Colorado
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want air conditioning and heat from one system and don't want to run a second machine for summer. Look for a cold-climate model, since a standard heat pump loses heating power on the 18°F nights this area sees from December through February. Expect to pay more to heat your home than a gas furnace would cost you here, since gas runs at least 35% cheaper at Colorado prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the choice if keeping winter heating costs down matters most to you, since gas costs at least 35% less to run than a heat pump here. It won't lose output on the coldest nights, which matters with winter lows averaging 18°F from December through February. You'll need a separate air conditioner for summer, since a furnace only heats.
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want air conditioning and heat from one system and don't want to run a second machine for summer. Look for a cold-climate model, since a standard heat pump loses heating power on the 18°F nights this area sees from December through February. Expect to pay more to heat your home than a gas furnace would cost you here, since gas runs at least 35% cheaper at Colorado prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the choice if keeping winter heating costs down matters most to you, since gas costs at least 35% less to run than a heat pump here. It won't lose output on the coldest nights, which matters with winter lows averaging 18°F from December through February. You'll need a separate air conditioner for summer, since a furnace only heats.
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
Furnace wins in Mesa County.
Winter nights here average 18°F, and gas heat costs at least 35% less than a heat pump, which is why most homes around here heat with gas.
If your home has no gas line to it, a cold-climate heat pump will still heat it through those 18°F nights and cool it come summer.
Find a contractor| Compared on | Heat pump | Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to run here | Costs more to run | At least 35% less 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 18°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
A heat pump makes sense if you want air conditioning and heat from one system and don't want to run a second machine for summer. Look for a cold-climate model, since a standard heat pump loses heating power on the 18°F nights this area sees from December through February. Expect to pay more to heat your home than a gas furnace would cost you here, since gas runs at least 35% cheaper at Colorado prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the choice if keeping winter heating costs down matters most to you, since gas costs at least 35% less to run than a heat pump here. It won't lose output on the coldest nights, which matters with winter lows averaging 18°F from December through February. You'll need a separate air conditioner for summer, since a furnace only heats.
A Mesa County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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