Heat pump vs Furnace in Outagamie County, Wisconsin
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump can make sense if you want cooling in summer as well as heating in winter from one system. Choose a cold-climate model, not a standard one. Standard heat pumps lose heating power as it gets cold outside, and winter nights here average 13°F from December through February. Even a cold-climate model will likely cost more to run than a furnace, since gas heats for at least 45% less at Wisconsin prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace suits most homes in Outagamie County. Winters here are long, with heat needed about 9 months a year, and nights averaging 13°F from December through February call for a system that holds its output in real cold. Natural gas also costs at least 45% less to heat with here than electricity does. That's likely why 71% of homes in the county already heat with gas.
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump can make sense if you want cooling in summer as well as heating in winter from one system. Choose a cold-climate model, not a standard one. Standard heat pumps lose heating power as it gets cold outside, and winter nights here average 13°F from December through February. Even a cold-climate model will likely cost more to run than a furnace, since gas heats for at least 45% less at Wisconsin prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace suits most homes in Outagamie County. Winters here are long, with heat needed about 9 months a year, and nights averaging 13°F from December through February call for a system that holds its output in real cold. Natural gas also costs at least 45% less to heat with here than electricity does. That's likely why 71% of homes in the county already heat with gas.
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 Outagamie County.
Nights here average 13°F all winter, and gas heat costs at least 45% less than a heat pump, which is why most homes around here run furnaces.
If your home has no gas line to work with, a cold-climate heat pump paired with backup heat is still worth a look.
Find a contractor| Compared on | Heat pump | Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to run here | Costs more to run | At least 45% less to run |
| What it does | Heats and cools | Heats only |
| Homes in the Great Lakes states that heat with one | 3.4% | 78.8% |
| Handles a 13°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 can make sense if you want cooling in summer as well as heating in winter from one system. Choose a cold-climate model, not a standard one. Standard heat pumps lose heating power as it gets cold outside, and winter nights here average 13°F from December through February. Even a cold-climate model will likely cost more to run than a furnace, since gas heats for at least 45% less at Wisconsin prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace suits most homes in Outagamie County. Winters here are long, with heat needed about 9 months a year, and nights averaging 13°F from December through February call for a system that holds its output in real cold. Natural gas also costs at least 45% less to heat with here than electricity does. That's likely why 71% of homes in the county already heat with gas.
A Outagamie County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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