Heat pump vs Furnace in New Castle County, Delaware
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want air conditioning and heat from one system, or if you don't have gas line to the house. Look for a cold-climate model, since winter nights here average 27°F and standard heat pumps lose heating power at those temperatures. Expect to pay more to heat with electricity than a neighbor on gas, since natural gas runs at least 15% cheaper here at Delaware prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the right call if gas is already running to your house, which is true for 54% of homes here. It costs less to run than a heat pump at Delaware's prices, and it holds its full heating power no matter how cold the night gets. The trade-off is no air conditioning, so you'd need a separate system for summer.
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want air conditioning and heat from one system, or if you don't have gas line to the house. Look for a cold-climate model, since winter nights here average 27°F and standard heat pumps lose heating power at those temperatures. Expect to pay more to heat with electricity than a neighbor on gas, since natural gas runs at least 15% cheaper here at Delaware prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the right call if gas is already running to your house, which is true for 54% of homes here. It costs less to run than a heat pump at Delaware's prices, and it holds its full heating power no matter how cold the night gets. The trade-off is no air conditioning, so you'd need a separate system for summer.
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 New Castle County.
Gas costs at least 15% less to heat with here, and most homes in New Castle County already have the gas line for it.
If your home has no gas line, a cold-climate heat pump can still heat it all winter and cool it come summer.
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 27°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, or if you don't have gas line to the house. Look for a cold-climate model, since winter nights here average 27°F and standard heat pumps lose heating power at those temperatures. Expect to pay more to heat with electricity than a neighbor on gas, since natural gas runs at least 15% cheaper here at Delaware prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the right call if gas is already running to your house, which is true for 54% of homes here. It costs less to run than a heat pump at Delaware's prices, and it holds its full heating power no matter how cold the night gets. The trade-off is no air conditioning, so you'd need a separate system for summer.
A New Castle County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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