Heat pump vs Furnace in Washington County, Wisconsin
When a heat pump makes sense
If you want both heating and cooling from one system, a heat pump is worth a look, especially a cold-climate model built to keep its heating power when nights drop to 14°F. Just weigh that against the running cost. Natural gas heats homes here for at least 45% less, and that gap holds all winter, not just on the mild days.
When a furnace makes sense
For most homes here, a furnace makes sense. You're heating for about 8 months a year, including stretches where nights average 14°F, and a furnace holds its output no matter how cold it gets outside. It also costs less to run on natural gas than a heat pump does at Wisconsin electricity prices, which is why most homes in this area already heat this way.
When a heat pump makes sense
If you want both heating and cooling from one system, a heat pump is worth a look, especially a cold-climate model built to keep its heating power when nights drop to 14°F. Just weigh that against the running cost. Natural gas heats homes here for at least 45% less, and that gap holds all winter, not just on the mild days.
When a furnace makes sense
For most homes here, a furnace makes sense. You're heating for about 8 months a year, including stretches where nights average 14°F, and a furnace holds its output no matter how cold it gets outside. It also costs less to run on natural gas than a heat pump does at Wisconsin electricity prices, which is why most homes in this area already heat this way.
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 Washington County.
Nights here average 14°F all winter, and gas heat costs at least 45% less than a heat pump at Wisconsin prices, so the furnace makes sense.
If your home has no gas line to it, a cold-climate heat pump is worth a look since you would be paying for electric heat either way.
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 14°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 both heating and cooling from one system, a heat pump is worth a look, especially a cold-climate model built to keep its heating power when nights drop to 14°F. Just weigh that against the running cost. Natural gas heats homes here for at least 45% less, and that gap holds all winter, not just on the mild days.
When a furnace makes sense
For most homes here, a furnace makes sense. You're heating for about 8 months a year, including stretches where nights average 14°F, and a furnace holds its output no matter how cold it gets outside. It also costs less to run on natural gas than a heat pump does at Wisconsin electricity prices, which is why most homes in this area already heat this way.
A Washington County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
Tell us about the job
It takes about a minute.