Heat pump vs Furnace in Bergen County, New Jersey
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling and heating from one system and you are set on getting off gas. Get a cold-climate model, since winter nights here average 25°F and standard heat pumps lose heating power in that kind of cold. Weigh the electric running cost against gas before you decide, since gas heat costs at least 35% less here at New Jersey prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the safer bet for most homes here, and the numbers back it up. Gas heat costs at least 35% less than a heat pump at New Jersey prices, and with about 8 months of heating a year that difference adds up. A furnace only heats, so you would still need a separate air conditioner for summer, but 77% of homes here already heat with gas for a reason.
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling and heating from one system and you are set on getting off gas. Get a cold-climate model, since winter nights here average 25°F and standard heat pumps lose heating power in that kind of cold. Weigh the electric running cost against gas before you decide, since gas heat costs at least 35% less here at New Jersey prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the safer bet for most homes here, and the numbers back it up. Gas heat costs at least 35% less than a heat pump at New Jersey prices, and with about 8 months of heating a year that difference adds up. A furnace only heats, so you would still need a separate air conditioner for summer, but 77% of homes here already heat with gas for a reason.
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 Bergen County.
Gas heat costs at least 35% less than a heat pump here, and most homes in Bergen County already have the gas line for it.
If your home has no access to natural gas, a cold-climate heat pump still makes sense, since it heats and cools without a gas line.
Find a contractor| Compared on | Heat pump | Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to run here | Costs more to run | At least 35% less to run |
| What it does | Heats and cools | Heats only |
| Homes in the Mid-Atlantic that heat with one | 4.2% | 51.4% |
| Handles a 25°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 you are set on getting off gas. Get a cold-climate model, since winter nights here average 25°F and standard heat pumps lose heating power in that kind of cold. Weigh the electric running cost against gas before you decide, since gas heat costs at least 35% less here at New Jersey prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the safer bet for most homes here, and the numbers back it up. Gas heat costs at least 35% less than a heat pump at New Jersey prices, and with about 8 months of heating a year that difference adds up. A furnace only heats, so you would still need a separate air conditioner for summer, but 77% of homes here already heat with gas for a reason.
A Bergen County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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