A typical residential heat pump is an electric system that provides heating and cooling. Most air-source and ground-source heat pumps use electricity to move heat between your home and the outdoor air or ground. They do not burn natural gas, propane or heating oil to create heat.
| System type | Main energy source | Uses gas? |
|---|---|---|
| Air-source heat pump | Electricity | No |
| Ground-source or geothermal heat pump | Electricity | No |
| Mini-split heat pump | Electricity | No |
| Dual-fuel or hybrid system | Electricity plus natural gas | Yes, for backup |
| Gas-fired absorption heat pump | Gas or thermal energy | Yes, but uncommon in homes |
How Does an Electric Heat Pump Work?
An electric heat pump transfers heat instead of creating heat through combustion.
- In winter, it extracts heat from outdoor air or the ground and moves that heat indoors.
- In summer, it reverses direction and removes heat from your home.
- Electricity powers the compressor, fans and controls.
Because a heat pump moves heat instead of producing it with electric resistance coils, an ENERGY STAR-certified air-source heat pump can deliver up to 3 times more heat energy to a home than the electrical energy it uses.
Can a Heat Pump Use Natural Gas?
Yes. A heat pump can use natural gas when it is part of a dual-fuel or hybrid heating system.
A dual-fuel system combines:
- An electric heat pump for routine heating and cooling.
- A natural gas furnace for backup heating in particularly cold conditions.
The heat pump handles much of the heating in milder weather. When outdoor temperatures fall or other operating conditions favor gas heating, the system switches to the furnace. The two appliances commonly share the same ductwork.
The gas furnace is separate from the heat pump. It is a backup heating appliance within the combined system.
Are Gas-Powered Heat Pumps Available?
Yes, but gas-fired absorption heat pumps are uncommon in U.S. homes. They use gas or another thermal energy source rather than operating like the standard electric air-source heat pumps used in most homes.
A typical residential air-source heat pump is fully electric and does not require a natural gas connection.
Is a Heat Pump Different From an Electric Furnace?
Yes. An electric furnace uses electricity to heat resistance elements, much like a powerful electric heater. An electric heat pump uses electricity to run a refrigeration cycle that transfers existing heat.
That difference affects energy use. The U.S. Department of Energy says heat pumps can reduce electricity use for heating by up to 75% compared with electric resistance heating, depending on the system and operating conditions.
What Should You Choose?
Choose based on whether you want an all-electric system or gas backup:
- Choose an all-electric heat pump if you want one system for heating and cooling without burning gas on-site.
- Consider a dual-fuel heat pump if your home already has a gas furnace, you live in a cold climate, or you want gas backup heating.
- Compare local electricity and natural gas prices before estimating running costs. Insulation, installation quality, outdoor temperatures and equipment efficiency also affect your final bill.