Heat pump vs Furnace in Montgomery County, Maryland
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling and heating from one system and don't mind paying more to run it through the winter here. Nights average 27°F from December through February, so look for a cold-climate model built to keep its heating power at those temperatures rather than a standard one. It's a reasonable fit if your house already has electric heat and no gas line to it.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace fits most homes in this county, and 53% already heat this way. Natural gas costs at least 15% less than a heat pump to run at Maryland prices, and with about 7 months of heating season here that difference adds up. If your home has a gas line and you're not looking for a system that also cools, this is the straightforward choice.
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling and heating from one system and don't mind paying more to run it through the winter here. Nights average 27°F from December through February, so look for a cold-climate model built to keep its heating power at those temperatures rather than a standard one. It's a reasonable fit if your house already has electric heat and no gas line to it.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace fits most homes in this county, and 53% already heat this way. Natural gas costs at least 15% less than a heat pump to run at Maryland prices, and with about 7 months of heating season here that difference adds up. If your home has a gas line and you're not looking for a system that also cools, this is the straightforward choice.
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 Montgomery County.
Gas heat costs at least 15% less here than a heat pump, and most homes in the county already have the gas line for it.
If your home doesn't have a gas line to it, a cold-climate heat pump will still heat and cool it without needing 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 27°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 don't mind paying more to run it through the winter here. Nights average 27°F from December through February, so look for a cold-climate model built to keep its heating power at those temperatures rather than a standard one. It's a reasonable fit if your house already has electric heat and no gas line to it.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace fits most homes in this county, and 53% already heat this way. Natural gas costs at least 15% less than a heat pump to run at Maryland prices, and with about 7 months of heating season here that difference adds up. If your home has a gas line and you're not looking for a system that also cools, this is the straightforward choice.
A Montgomery County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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