Choosing between a heat pump and a gas furnace isn’t as simple as comparing electricity and gas rates. A system that runs efficiently during mild weather may be the wrong choice when outdoor temperatures drop well below freezing — and in Utah County, they do.

For homeowners in Orem and across Utah County, the right heating setup depends on how equipment performs across the full range of conditions, not just on one fuel source. Here’s how we break it down.

Hear our team talk through how heat pumps and dual fuel systems work.

How Does a Heat Pump Heat a Home?

A heat pump uses electricity to pull heat from outdoor air and move it inside — unlike a furnace, which generates heat by burning gas. Even air that feels very cold still contains usable heat, but as temperatures fall, the heat pump works harder to extract it. Some modern heat pumps can continue heating at temperatures as low as 20 degrees below zero, though efficiency drops as conditions become more extreme.

We’ve worked with heat pumps for years, and the technology keeps improving. As our team puts it, “I love heat pumps” — especially because newer equipment makes electric heating a genuinely practical option in the right setting.

Will a Heat Pump Cost Less to Run Than a Gas Furnace?

It depends on the temperature outside. When it’s around 40 degrees or warmer, a heat pump typically uses less energy than a gas furnace. Drop to zero degrees, and the math flips — gas becomes the more efficient option by a wide margin. Modern inverter heat pumps with variable-speed compressors have narrowed that gap, but it doesn’t disappear. The real question isn’t which system wins on a mild day; it’s which setup performs best across every condition your home will face through a Utah winter.

What Is a Dual Fuel System, and Is It Worth It?

A dual fuel system pairs a high-efficiency heat pump with a gas furnace so each one runs when it’s the better option. The heat pump handles milder weather, and the furnace takes over when temperatures make gas heat the smarter choice. We install dual fuel systems with controls that switch automatically as conditions change — no manual intervention needed.

As our team says, “Heat pumps are the way of the future,” but the best setup still comes down to how the equipment works together across different temperatures. For many Utah County homeowners, dual fuel is the answer that covers both ends of the spectrum.

If you have questions our video doesn’t cover, we’re glad to talk them through. Reach us at Authority Heating & Cooling — (801) 893-0500.