Heat pump vs Furnace in Winnebago County, Wisconsin
When a heat pump makes sense
If you want cooling as well as heating from one system, a heat pump is worth a look. Winter nights here average 13°F from December through February, cold enough that you would want a cold-climate model built to keep its heating power at that temperature. Even then, expect to pay more to heat your home than you would with gas, since natural gas runs at least 45% cheaper here.
When a furnace makes sense
For most homes in Winnebago County, a furnace is the lower-cost way to get through winter. It holds its output when nights drop to 13°F, and natural gas costs at least 45% less than a heat pump at Wisconsin prices. It only heats, so if you want central air too, you would pair it with a separate air conditioner.
When a heat pump makes sense
If you want cooling as well as heating from one system, a heat pump is worth a look. Winter nights here average 13°F from December through February, cold enough that you would want a cold-climate model built to keep its heating power at that temperature. Even then, expect to pay more to heat your home than you would with gas, since natural gas runs at least 45% cheaper here.
When a furnace makes sense
For most homes in Winnebago County, a furnace is the lower-cost way to get through winter. It holds its output when nights drop to 13°F, and natural gas costs at least 45% less than a heat pump at Wisconsin prices. It only heats, so if you want central air too, you would pair it with a separate air conditioner.
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 Winnebago County.
Winter nights here average 13°F, and gas heat costs at least 45% less than a heat pump at Wisconsin prices, so the furnace wins.
If your home has no gas line to run a furnace off, a cold-climate heat pump will still heat it through a Winnebago County winter.
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
If you want cooling as well as heating from one system, a heat pump is worth a look. Winter nights here average 13°F from December through February, cold enough that you would want a cold-climate model built to keep its heating power at that temperature. Even then, expect to pay more to heat your home than you would with gas, since natural gas runs at least 45% cheaper here.
When a furnace makes sense
For most homes in Winnebago County, a furnace is the lower-cost way to get through winter. It holds its output when nights drop to 13°F, and natural gas costs at least 45% less than a heat pump at Wisconsin prices. It only heats, so if you want central air too, you would pair it with a separate air conditioner.
A Winnebago County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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