Heat pump vs Furnace in Ravalli County, Montana
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling as well as heat from one machine. Choose a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power on nights near 16°F, and yours will see plenty of them from December through February. Weigh the electric running cost against gas before you decide, since gas runs at least 40% cheaper here at Montana prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is worth a close look if keeping the running cost down matters most, since gas heats at least 40% cheaper here than a heat pump. It's built to hold its output through nights near 16°F without losing power, and with heat needed about 11 months a year, that adds up. The tradeoff is that it only heats, so you'd need a separate air conditioner for summer.
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling as well as heat from one machine. Choose a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power on nights near 16°F, and yours will see plenty of them from December through February. Weigh the electric running cost against gas before you decide, since gas runs at least 40% cheaper here at Montana prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is worth a close look if keeping the running cost down matters most, since gas heats at least 40% cheaper here than a heat pump. It's built to hold its output through nights near 16°F without losing power, and with heat needed about 11 months a year, that adds up. The tradeoff is that it only heats, so you'd need a separate air conditioner 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 Ravalli County.
Winter nights average 16°F here, and gas heat costs at least 40% less than a heat pump at Montana prices.
If you want one system that heats and cools without adding central air, a cold-climate heat pump still makes sense for your home.
Find a contractor| Compared on | Heat pump | Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to run here | Costs more to run | At least 40% less to run |
| What it does | Heats and cools | Heats only |
| Homes in the Mountain West that heat with one | 9.1% | 69.6% |
| Handles a 16°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 as well as heat from one machine. Choose a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power on nights near 16°F, and yours will see plenty of them from December through February. Weigh the electric running cost against gas before you decide, since gas runs at least 40% cheaper here at Montana prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is worth a close look if keeping the running cost down matters most, since gas heats at least 40% cheaper here than a heat pump. It's built to hold its output through nights near 16°F without losing power, and with heat needed about 11 months a year, that adds up. The tradeoff is that it only heats, so you'd need a separate air conditioner for summer.
A Ravalli County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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