Heat pump vs Furnace in Franklin County, Ohio
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling and heating from one system and you're set on getting off gas. Look at a cold-climate model, since your winter nights average 24°F and a standard heat pump loses heating power at those temperatures. Expect to pay more to heat with electricity here than your neighbors pay for gas.
When a furnace makes sense
For most homes here, a furnace is the safer bet. Gas runs at least 20% cheaper than a heat pump at Ohio's prices, and with 8 months of heating a year that difference adds up. It also won't struggle on the coldest nights the way a standard heat pump does. You'll still need a separate air conditioner for summer.
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling and heating from one system and you're set on getting off gas. Look at a cold-climate model, since your winter nights average 24°F and a standard heat pump loses heating power at those temperatures. Expect to pay more to heat with electricity here than your neighbors pay for gas.
When a furnace makes sense
For most homes here, a furnace is the safer bet. Gas runs at least 20% cheaper than a heat pump at Ohio's prices, and with 8 months of heating a year that difference adds up. It also won't struggle on the coldest nights the way a standard heat pump does. You'll still need a separate air conditioner 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
Furnace wins in Franklin County.
Gas heat costs at least 20% less than a heat pump here, and most of your neighbors already heat with gas.
If your home has no gas line to it, a cold-climate heat pump will still heat it through those 24°F nights without that added cost.
Find a contractor| Compared on | Heat pump | Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to run here | Costs more to run | At least 20% less to run |
| What it does | Heats and cools | Heats only |
| Homes in the Great Lakes states that heat with one | 3.4% | 78.8% |
| 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
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling and heating from one system and you're set on getting off gas. Look at a cold-climate model, since your winter nights average 24°F and a standard heat pump loses heating power at those temperatures. Expect to pay more to heat with electricity here than your neighbors pay for gas.
When a furnace makes sense
For most homes here, a furnace is the safer bet. Gas runs at least 20% cheaper than a heat pump at Ohio's prices, and with 8 months of heating a year that difference adds up. It also won't struggle on the coldest nights the way a standard heat pump does. You'll still need a separate air conditioner for summer.
A Franklin County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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