Heat pump vs Furnace in Prince George's County, Maryland
When a heat pump makes sense
If you already have gas heat and central air on separate systems, or you want cooling and heating from one unit, a heat pump is worth a look. Get a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power once temperatures drop toward the 28°F nights you see here from December through February. Just know you will likely pay more to run it than a gas furnace at Maryland's electricity and gas prices.
When a furnace makes sense
If you have a gas line to your house already, a furnace is the cheaper machine to run here, at least 15% less than a heat pump at Maryland prices. That gap matters over the 7 months a year your home needs heat, including the cold nights from December through February. A furnace only heats, so you would still need a separate air conditioner for summer, but more than half of homes in the county heat with gas for a reason.
When a heat pump makes sense
If you already have gas heat and central air on separate systems, or you want cooling and heating from one unit, a heat pump is worth a look. Get a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power once temperatures drop toward the 28°F nights you see here from December through February. Just know you will likely pay more to run it than a gas furnace at Maryland's electricity and gas prices.
When a furnace makes sense
If you have a gas line to your house already, a furnace is the cheaper machine to run here, at least 15% less than a heat pump at Maryland prices. That gap matters over the 7 months a year your home needs heat, including the cold nights from December through February. A furnace only heats, so you would still need a separate air conditioner for summer, but more than half of homes in the county heat with gas for a reason.
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 Prince George's County.
Gas heat runs at least 15% cheaper here than a heat pump, and gas is already what most homes in the county use.
If your home has no gas line to it, a cold-climate heat pump still heats and cools without one.
Find a contractor| Compared on | Heat pump | Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to run here | Costs more to run | At least 15% less to run |
| What it does | Heats and cools | Heats only |
| Homes in the South Atlantic states that heat with one | 30.1% | 48% |
| Handles a 28°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 you already have gas heat and central air on separate systems, or you want cooling and heating from one unit, a heat pump is worth a look. Get a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power once temperatures drop toward the 28°F nights you see here from December through February. Just know you will likely pay more to run it than a gas furnace at Maryland's electricity and gas prices.
When a furnace makes sense
If you have a gas line to your house already, a furnace is the cheaper machine to run here, at least 15% less than a heat pump at Maryland prices. That gap matters over the 7 months a year your home needs heat, including the cold nights from December through February. A furnace only heats, so you would still need a separate air conditioner for summer, but more than half of homes in the county heat with gas for a reason.
A Prince George's County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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