Heat pump vs Furnace in McHenry County, Illinois
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 staying electric. Look for a cold-climate model. Standard heat pumps lose heating power once temperatures drop, and winter nights here average 17°F from December through February, cold enough to matter for around 8 months a year. Even then, expect to pay more to heat your home than a gas furnace would, since gas runs at least 35% cheaper here at Illinois prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the right call for most homes in this county. 85% of homes here already heat with gas. It burns natural gas to make heat, so it is not affected by outdoor temperature the way a heat pump is, which matters through a winter this cold and this long. It also costs less to run, at least 35% less than a heat pump at Illinois prices, though you would still need separate air conditioning for summer.
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 staying electric. Look for a cold-climate model. Standard heat pumps lose heating power once temperatures drop, and winter nights here average 17°F from December through February, cold enough to matter for around 8 months a year. Even then, expect to pay more to heat your home than a gas furnace would, since gas runs at least 35% cheaper here at Illinois prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the right call for most homes in this county. 85% of homes here already heat with gas. It burns natural gas to make heat, so it is not affected by outdoor temperature the way a heat pump is, which matters through a winter this cold and this long. It also costs less to run, at least 35% less than a heat pump at Illinois prices, though you would still need separate air conditioning 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 McHenry County.
Winter nights here average 17°F, and gas heat costs at least 35% less than a heat pump at Illinois prices, so gas wins.
If your home has no gas line, a cold-climate heat pump will still heat it through those 17°F nights and cool it come summer.
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 Great Lakes states that heat with one | 3.4% | 78.8% |
| Handles a 17°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 staying electric. Look for a cold-climate model. Standard heat pumps lose heating power once temperatures drop, and winter nights here average 17°F from December through February, cold enough to matter for around 8 months a year. Even then, expect to pay more to heat your home than a gas furnace would, since gas runs at least 35% cheaper here at Illinois prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the right call for most homes in this county. 85% of homes here already heat with gas. It burns natural gas to make heat, so it is not affected by outdoor temperature the way a heat pump is, which matters through a winter this cold and this long. It also costs less to run, at least 35% less than a heat pump at Illinois prices, though you would still need separate air conditioning for summer.
A McHenry County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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