Temperatures are already starting to tick down in Fuquay-Varina, Apex, and other cities in our part of North Carolina. We’re getting some chilly evenings, and soon, we’ll see winter nights that get downright frigid.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your home’s heating equipment in advance of winter weather, you may be wondering whether you should go with a gas-powered or electric system. In this article, we’ll take you through two popular home heating options in our area — heat pumps and natural gas furnaces — and discuss which is more efficient.
Furnaces and heat pumps are two of the most common home heating options in North Carolina. A natural gas furnace burns fuel to create heat, which is then pushed through ducts by a blower fan to warm your home evenly through vents in each room. Modern furnaces are highly efficient and can deliver consistent, powerful heat even on the coldest winter days.
Electric heat pumps, by contrast, don’t produce heat directly. Instead, they transfer it — pulling warmth from outdoor air into your home during the winter and reversing the process in summer for cooling. Heat pumps are efficient and provide excellent year-round comfort, though their performance can decline in extended freezing temperatures.
When choosing between a natural gas furnace and an electric heat pump, it’s important to look beyond just the purchase price. A new gas furnace usually costs less to install — especially if your home already has gas service — while a heat pump system often requires a larger investment for electrical upgrades and new equipment.
In terms of monthly expenses, heating accounts for roughly 30% of the average home’s energy use. Natural gas furnaces deliver powerful heat efficiently, and while heat pumps can be highly efficient too, their operating costs can go up noticeably when a prolonged cold spell rolls in. Because heat pumps rely on heat from outdoor air to warm your home, they need to run longer in freezing conditions, and their performance can become spotty.
When it comes to cold-weather performance, gas furnaces offer steady warmth even in the iciest conditions. For reference, one therm of natural gas can produce as many Btus as about 29 kWh of electricity.
Finally, regarding environmental impact, it’s worth noting that North Carolina’s electricity generation still produces roughly 40% more carbon emissions than natural gas. For homeowners focused on sustainability and reliability, upgrading to a high-efficiency gas furnace often strikes the best balance of comfort, cost, and environmental responsibility.
If you are adding natural gas service to your home or want to install gas equipment, then you must have a licensed and highly experienced partner. LG Jordan’s extensively trained technicians will install your new gas appliance quickly and safely. We treat your home with respect and can also help you dispose of your old appliance.
If you purchased a natural gas stove, oven, or clothes dryer from a major retailer, our team can connect it to your gas lines and ensure it’s running properly.
Reach out to LG Jordan Oil & Gas today to get started with a safe, professional natural gas installation.
