Las Vegas summers are known for being very hot, but winter mornings can be surprisingly cold, with temperatures dropping into the 30s. When you need to replace or upgrade your heating system, you have to ask yourself an important question: “Will a heat pump really keep me warm, or do I need a furnace?”
It’s a valid worry. People say that heat pumps don’t work well in cold weather, and you’ve probably heard from friends or family who live in colder areas that their gas furnaces are the best. But Las Vegas is not like Minnesota or Maine, and that difference is more important than you might think.
This guide will show you how heat pumps work in the winter in Las Vegas, how they compare to furnaces in terms of comfort and cost, and how to pick the best system for your home.
Las Vegas Winter in HVAC Language
The IECC Climate Zone 3B says that Las Vegas is warm and dry. The average winter design temperatures are in the mid-30s at night, and during the day, they often go back up to comfortable levels. The city doesn’t often have long periods of deep freeze, which makes it a much better place for modern high-efficiency air-source heat pumps than very cold northern climates.
Here’s another important thing to think about: every year, homes in Las Vegas spend a lot more time cooling than heating. Your air conditioning works hard from late spring to early fall, but you only need heating for a few months, and even then, not all the time. This mostly cool climate is a major factor in choosing the best and cheapest system.
How a Heat Pump Warms Up Your Home (And How It Differs From a Furnace)
What a Heat Pump Does
A heat pump doesn’t make heat; it moves it. In the summer, the same outdoor unit and indoor coil can cool the air, and in the winter, they can heat it up. In heating mode, the system takes heat from the outside air and brings it inside, even when it feels cold outside. When it’s not too hot, heat pumps can be two to three times more efficient than electric resistance heating.
How a Heater Works
A gas furnace burns natural gas in a heat exchanger and then uses a blower to move hot air through your ductwork. Resistance heating elements in an electric furnace work like space heaters with a lot of power.
The main difference is that a heat pump moves heat that is already there, while a furnace makes heat from fuel or electricity, usually at a lower efficiency for the same amount of BTUs delivered.
Do Heat Pumps Really Work in the Winter in Las Vegas?
How Well Does a Heat Pump Work When It’s Cold but not too Cold?
Modern air-source heat pumps are designed to operate efficiently in the 30 to 50 degree range, which is typical of most Las Vegas winter nights and mornings. They usually only need backup electric heat or extra heat strips when it gets really cold or when defrost cycles run for a short time to clear ice from the outdoor coil.
Things That Make Homeowners Feel Comfortable
This is where what people think can be different from what is true. The air that a heat pump brings in is usually cooler than the air that a gas furnace makes. It can be in the 90s instead of the 110s to 130s. This means that instead of short bursts of heat, you’ll feel steady, gentle warmth for longer periods of time.
Some homeowners think “the system isn’t working” when the thermostat is keeping the temperature exactly where it should be. It’s not broken; it’s just a different kind of heating. Both systems can keep your home at 72 degrees, but they do it in different ways.
Pros and Cons of Having a Heat Pump in Las Vegas
Benefits of a Heat Pump
Heat pumps work best in places with mild weather, like Las Vegas. They often give off two to three times as much heat as they use electricity, which makes them much cheaper to run than electric resistance heat or older gas furnaces that don’t work very well.
With just one heat pump system, you can cool and heat your home, making it easier to set up your equipment. You’re only taking care of one system instead of two, and you’re making it possible for your home to be fully electrified. This can lower your carbon footprint, depending on how your local utility generates electricity.
What a Heat Pump Can’t Do
Some people think that the supply of air isn’t enough because it doesn’t feel as hot as a furnace, even when they are comfortable. As temperatures approach or drop below freezing, efficiency and capacity do drop. However, this only happens to Las Vegas homes for a few nights a year.
If the power goes out, you won’t have any heat unless you have a separate backup system because heat pumps only work with electricity.
The Good and Bad Things About Having a Furnace in Las Vegas
Benefits of a Gas Furnace
Gas furnaces give off hotter supply air and heat up quickly, which many homeowners think makes the heat feel “stronger” and more satisfying. They keep working at full power even on the coldest nights, and they work best in older homes with more drafts and heat loss.
The Bad Things About a Furnace
If you keep a traditional split system, you’ll have to install and maintain two big pieces of equipment: a furnace and an air conditioner. The cost of running a combustion system depends on the price of natural gas. It also needs to be properly vented, inspected regularly, and have safety measures in place for carbon monoxide.
Electric furnaces are easier to use, but they usually cost more to run than heat pumps because they only convert electricity to heat at a rate of about one to one, which is much lower than the two to three to one ratio of a good heat pump.
How Much Does It Really Cost to Install a Heat Pump vs. a Furnace?
A high-efficiency heat pump can cost about the same as or a little more than a regular air conditioner. But it usually costs more to replace an old furnace and an old AC than it does to replace both with a new heat pump.
Bills for Energy Every Month
In mild climates, heat pumps usually use less energy per unit of heat delivered than electric resistance and older gas furnaces. The exact amount you save depends on how much electricity and gas cost in your area, but in Las Vegas, heat pumps usually come out on top. Because homes here need to cool down more than they need to heat up, a high-efficiency heat pump that can handle both loads can save you a lot of money over time.
Costs of Owning for a Long Time
Both heat pumps and furnaces need to be serviced on a regular basis. The heat exchanger in a furnace can last a long time, but outdoor heat pump units have to work hard in the summer in the desert. Modern, efficient systems also tend to raise the value of a home when it is sold, especially since buyers are looking for homes with lower utility bills and newer HVAC systems.
When It’s Smart to Use a Heat Pump Alone in Las Vegas
A heat pump is often a great choice for homes that are well-insulated, fairly new, and have moderate heating needs and tight building envelopes. It’s perfect for homeowners who want a system that runs on electricity and is very efficient. It can cool and heat the house with just one outdoor unit and air handler.
Heat pumps are also great for smaller homes, condos, and townhomes, especially when you need to replace both an old AC and furnace at the same time. Why put in two new systems when one can do both jobs well?
When a Furnace (or Dual-Fuel System) Might Be the Best Choice
If your home is older, has more drafts, or loses more heat, and you really want very warm air with short heating cycles, a gas furnace or dual-fuel system might be better. A furnace makes sense if natural gas is cheap, there are already gas lines and flues in place, and you want to be sure that the gas will work when it’s cold.
A dual-fuel system is the best of both worlds. A heat pump works well in mild weather, and a gas furnace kicks in automatically when the temperature outside drops below a certain level. This setup makes the most of both comfort and energy use all season long.
How Air Pro Master Can Help You Make a Decision: Recommendations and Sizing for Real-World Systems
Evaluation at Home
Air Pro Master is a family-owned HVAC company that has been serving Las Vegas and Southern Nevada since 2005. We don’t just guess based on the size of the space. Our proper in-home evaluation includes checking the quality of your insulation and ductwork, doing Manual J-style load calculations, and looking at how much energy you actually use.
Looking at the Choices Next to Each Other
We make clear comparisons between heat pumps and furnace-plus-AC setups in terms of their estimated operating costs, comfort levels, noise levels, and run-time features. We’ll also talk about any financing or rebate options that are available for upgrades that are more efficient.
Installation by a Professional and Regular Maintenance
Setting up and sizing things correctly can stop problems like short cycling and bad comfort. Our seasonal tune-ups keep your heat pumps and furnaces running well, and our 24/7 service means you’re covered if something breaks in the middle of winter or summer.
Call Air Pro Master, the Las Vegas Experts on Heat Pumps and Furnaces.
We know how to deal with desert conditions and have a lot of experience with both types of heating. Our licensed technicians can fix any brand of HVAC system, and they offer clear pricing with no hidden fees. Our HVAC services are also available 24/7 for emergencies in Las Vegas and the surrounding areas.
Don’t make a big HVAC choice based on old information or advice from places that are colder.
Set up a meeting with Air Pro Master at your home to review heat pump and furnace options best suited to your home and comfort needs.
Questions that come up a lot
Do heat pumps really work in the winter in Las Vegas?
Yes. Modern heat pumps work well in Las Vegas’s mild, dry winters and can handle the normal cold nights.
Will a heat pump keep me as warm as a heater?
When properly sized, both can keep the same thermostat setting. Furnaces send in hotter air, while heat pumps send in cooler air for longer periods of time. Both systems can reach the same temperature inside.
In Las Vegas, is it cheaper to run a heat pump than a gas furnace?
Yes, a lot of the time, especially when compared to older gas or electric systems. In mild winter temperatures, heat pumps can be two to three times more efficient. However, how much you save depends on your home’s features and the rates of your local utility.
Will my heat pump still work if it gets really cold?
A good heat pump works well in most Las Vegas weather. For rare, deeper cold snaps, an auxiliary electric heater or a backup dual-fuel furnace can fill the gap.
How can I tell if I should get a heat pump or a furnace?
A professional can help you choose the best option by looking at your home’s heating load, insulation, ductwork, utility costs, and how comfortable you want to be. To help you make the best choice for your situation, Air Pro Master gives you detailed comparisons of different options.