Heat pump vs Furnace in DuPage County, Illinois
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want one system that both heats and cools, and you're set on getting off gas. Choose a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power in the cold, and winter nights here average 19°F from December through February. Even with a cold-climate model, expect to pay more to heat your home than a furnace would cost at Illinois gas prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the right call for most homes here, since heat is needed about 8 months a year and winter nights average 19°F through the coldest stretch. Natural gas costs at least 35% less than a heat pump to run at Illinois prices, and a furnace holds its output no matter how cold it gets outside. It only heats, so cooling has to come from a separate system.
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want one system that both heats and cools, and you're set on getting off gas. Choose a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power in the cold, and winter nights here average 19°F from December through February. Even with a cold-climate model, expect to pay more to heat your home than a furnace would cost at Illinois gas prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the right call for most homes here, since heat is needed about 8 months a year and winter nights average 19°F through the coldest stretch. Natural gas costs at least 35% less than a heat pump to run at Illinois prices, and a furnace holds its output no matter how cold it gets outside. It only heats, so cooling has to come from a separate system.
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 DuPage County.
Winter nights here drop to 19°F, gas heat costs a lot less than a heat pump at Illinois prices, and it's what most of your neighbors already run.
If your home has no gas line to it, a cold-climate heat pump will still heat it through those 19°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 19°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 one system that both heats and cools, and you're set on getting off gas. Choose a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power in the cold, and winter nights here average 19°F from December through February. Even with a cold-climate model, expect to pay more to heat your home than a furnace would cost at Illinois gas prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the right call for most homes here, since heat is needed about 8 months a year and winter nights average 19°F through the coldest stretch. Natural gas costs at least 35% less than a heat pump to run at Illinois prices, and a furnace holds its output no matter how cold it gets outside. It only heats, so cooling has to come from a separate system.
A DuPage County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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