Heat pump vs Furnace in St. Mary's County, Maryland
When a heat pump makes sense
If your home already heats with electricity, a heat pump is the natural fit, since it does the same job for less. It also cools your home in summer, so you are not running a separate air conditioner. Winter nights here average 29°F, cold enough that a cold-climate model is worth asking for, since standard models lose heating power in that range.
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has a gas line run to it, a furnace is worth keeping, since gas heat costs at least 15% less than a heat pump at Maryland prices. It only heats, so you would still need a separate system for summer cooling. That tradeoff makes sense if your gas line and ductwork are already in place and working.
When a heat pump makes sense
If your home already heats with electricity, a heat pump is the natural fit, since it does the same job for less. It also cools your home in summer, so you are not running a separate air conditioner. Winter nights here average 29°F, cold enough that a cold-climate model is worth asking for, since standard models lose heating power in that range.
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has a gas line run to it, a furnace is worth keeping, since gas heat costs at least 15% less than a heat pump at Maryland prices. It only heats, so you would still need a separate system for summer cooling. That tradeoff makes sense if your gas line and ductwork are already in place and working.
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
Heat pump wins in St. Mary's County.
Most homes here already run on electric heat, not gas, and a heat pump fits that setup without any new fuel line to install.
If your home already has a gas line and you want the lowest possible heating cost, a furnace still wins on that one point.
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 29°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 your home already heats with electricity, a heat pump is the natural fit, since it does the same job for less. It also cools your home in summer, so you are not running a separate air conditioner. Winter nights here average 29°F, cold enough that a cold-climate model is worth asking for, since standard models lose heating power in that range.
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has a gas line run to it, a furnace is worth keeping, since gas heat costs at least 15% less than a heat pump at Maryland prices. It only heats, so you would still need a separate system for summer cooling. That tradeoff makes sense if your gas line and ductwork are already in place and working.
A St. Mary's County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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