Heat pump vs Furnace in Missoula County, Montana
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling in the summer and are set on one machine for both jobs. Get a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power once temperatures drop, and winter nights here average 17°F. Expect to run it alongside a backup heat source or accept higher electric bills on the coldest nights, since natural gas costs at least 40% less to heat with here.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the better fit for most homes here, where nights average 17°F through the winter and heat is needed about 10 months of the year. Natural gas costs at least 40% less to run than a heat pump at Montana prices, and a furnace holds its output no matter how cold it gets outside. If you don't need air conditioning, there's little reason to pay more to heat your home.
When a heat pump makes sense
A heat pump makes sense if you want cooling in the summer and are set on one machine for both jobs. Get a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power once temperatures drop, and winter nights here average 17°F. Expect to run it alongside a backup heat source or accept higher electric bills on the coldest nights, since natural gas costs at least 40% less to heat with here.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the better fit for most homes here, where nights average 17°F through the winter and heat is needed about 10 months of the year. Natural gas costs at least 40% less to run than a heat pump at Montana prices, and a furnace holds its output no matter how cold it gets outside. If you don't need air conditioning, there's little reason to pay more to heat your home.
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 Missoula County.
Winter nights here average 17°F, and gas heat costs at least 40% less than a heat pump at Montana prices.
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 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 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 in the summer and are set on one machine for both jobs. Get a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power once temperatures drop, and winter nights here average 17°F. Expect to run it alongside a backup heat source or accept higher electric bills on the coldest nights, since natural gas costs at least 40% less to heat with here.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace is the better fit for most homes here, where nights average 17°F through the winter and heat is needed about 10 months of the year. Natural gas costs at least 40% less to run than a heat pump at Montana prices, and a furnace holds its output no matter how cold it gets outside. If you don't need air conditioning, there's little reason to pay more to heat your home.
A Missoula County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
Tell us about the job
It takes about a minute.