Heat pump vs Furnace in El Paso County, Texas
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want air conditioning and heat from one system, and you want the lower running cost, since a heat pump costs about 10% less to run here than gas at Texas prices. Winter nights average 32°F through the season, so look at a cold-climate model rather than a standard one, since standard heat pumps lose heating power in that kind of cold. If your gas furnace is due for replacement anyway, this is worth weighing against staying with gas.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace fits most homes here, which is why 71% of homes in the county already heat with gas. It keeps its full output no matter how cold the night gets, which matters less here since you only need heat about 5 months a year, but it means one less thing to think about. If you already have gas line and ducting in place, staying with a furnace is the simpler path.
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want air conditioning and heat from one system, and you want the lower running cost, since a heat pump costs about 10% less to run here than gas at Texas prices. Winter nights average 32°F through the season, so look at a cold-climate model rather than a standard one, since standard heat pumps lose heating power in that kind of cold. If your gas furnace is due for replacement anyway, this is worth weighing against staying with gas.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace fits most homes here, which is why 71% of homes in the county already heat with gas. It keeps its full output no matter how cold the night gets, which matters less here since you only need heat about 5 months a year, but it means one less thing to think about. If you already have gas line and ducting in place, staying with a furnace is the simpler path.
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 El Paso County.
Most homes in El Paso County are already set up for gas heat, and 71% of them use a furnace for that reason.
If your home doesn't have a gas line, a heat pump still makes sense, since it heats and cools without needing one.
Find a contractor| Compared on | Heat pump | Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to run here | About 10% less to run | Costs more to run |
| What it does | Heats and cools | Heats only |
| Homes in the south-central states that heat with one | 18.5% | 61.1% |
| Handles a 32°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 air conditioning and heat from one system, and you want the lower running cost, since a heat pump costs about 10% less to run here than gas at Texas prices. Winter nights average 32°F through the season, so look at a cold-climate model rather than a standard one, since standard heat pumps lose heating power in that kind of cold. If your gas furnace is due for replacement anyway, this is worth weighing against staying with gas.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace fits most homes here, which is why 71% of homes in the county already heat with gas. It keeps its full output no matter how cold the night gets, which matters less here since you only need heat about 5 months a year, but it means one less thing to think about. If you already have gas line and ducting in place, staying with a furnace is the simpler path.
A El Paso County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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