Homeowners in Port Coquitlam and the Lower Mainland area have two main options when selecting a heating system: a traditional furnace or an electric heat pump. While both systems have benefits and drawbacks, it’s important to consider the climate in BC when making the final decision. Is a furnace a worthwhile investment for the mild weather on the coast, or is a heat pump more practical?
Below, we’ll discuss how furnaces and heat pumps differ, how the climate in the lower mainland affects HVAC, and why DirectBuy Furnace is your go-to choice for furnace and heat pump installation. Keep reading to learn more!
The Difference Between a Furnace and a Heat Pump
Heat pumps and furnaces serve the same basic purpose—providing heat in your home to combat cold temperatures outside. However, each system works in very different ways.
Furnaces generate heat by burning fuel such as oil, propane, or natural gas, and some run on electricity. Furnaces require ductwork and a blower fan to filter heat throughout your home, ensuring an even temperature distribution in each room.
On the other hand, heat pumps transfer air from one place to the next. Even in cold temperatures, heat pumps can extract heat energy from outside air and bring it indoors. This process is reversed during the summer months, allowing the pump to work like an air conditioner.
How the Climate in the Lower Mainland Affects HVAC
The lower mainland in British Columbia has a moderate climate compared to other parts of Canada. Winters are cool and wet, with the occasional snowfall, and summers are dry and warm. This is a stark contrast to the northern regions in BC, which face extreme cold temperatures during the winter.
Standard furnaces are usually preferred in colder climates. They can quickly generate large amounts of heat and circulate it through every room in the house, making them more sustainable for cold winters.
Warmer climates like Vancouver Island don’t reach the same minus temperatures as BC’s northern region, so the high output from a furnace isn’t necessary to maintain a comfortable level of heat.
Heat pumps are designed to maintain warmth in temperatures as low as -10C. This output level is more practical for the Lower Mainland, where temperatures usually don’t drop below -5C. Combined with its ability to circulate warm and cool air, a heat pump is a very practical choice for the climate in coastal BC.
Below, we’ll consider two main advantages heat pumps have over traditional furnaces and why they may be the better choice for your heating system.
Energy Efficiency
If your HVAC system requires a lot of energy to run smoothly, your heating bill can run high. Heat pumps are known for being energy-efficient, as they transfer heat instead of generating it, which requires less power and, in turn, costs less to operate.
Not only will you save money on utility bills, but cutting down on energy consumption will lower your carbon footprint, making a heat pump an environmentally-conscious choice.
Installation
Heat pumps have a simpler installation process than standard furnaces and take less time to complete. At DirectBuy Furnace, we can complete a heat pump installation within 6-8 hours, whereas a standard furnace can take up to 10 hours.
If your home doesn’t have any existing ductwork, you can opt for a mini-split heat pump, which is installed high up on the wall and doesn’t require a ducting system.
Choose DirectBuy Furnace For Your Heat Pump Installation
Overall, if you’re looking for a cost-effective and energy-saving solution for your home’s HVAC system, a heat pump is a practical and versatile choice.
At DirectBuy Furnace, we install high-grade heat pumps from Trane that undergo rigorous testing to ensure optimal performance and long-lasting comfort. Contact us today to learn more about our heat pump installation services!