One of the most common questions we hear from Snohomish County homeowners is: "Should I replace my furnace with a heat pump, or stick with gas?" It's a great question — and the answer depends on your specific situation.

Here's a straightforward cost comparison to help you decide.

Installation Costs

Gas furnace: A new high-efficiency gas furnace (96% AFUE) typically costs $3,000–$6,000 installed, depending on the size and complexity of the installation.

Heat pump: A new ducted heat pump system typically costs $5,000–$10,000 installed. Ductless mini-split systems range from $2,500–$5,000 per zone.

Heat pumps have a higher upfront cost — but that's only part of the picture.

Operating Costs: The Real Difference

This is where heat pumps often win decisively.

A gas furnace converts fuel to heat at its AFUE rating — a 96% AFUE furnace converts 96 cents of every dollar of gas into usable heat.

A heat pump doesn't generate heat — it moves it. For every unit of electricity it consumes, it can deliver 2–4 units of heat. This is called the Coefficient of Performance (COP), and it's what makes heat pumps so efficient.

Example calculation for a typical Snohomish County home:

Assuming 800 therms of gas per heating season at $1.20/therm:

• Gas furnace (96% AFUE): ~$1,000/year in heating costs

Assuming the same heating load with a heat pump (COP of 2.5) at $0.12/kWh:

• Heat pump: ~$600–$700/year in heating costs

That's a savings of $300–$400 per year — and the gap widens if gas prices rise.

The Cooling Equation

Here's where the comparison shifts significantly in favor of heat pumps: they also provide air conditioning.

If you currently have a gas furnace and no central AC, you'd need to add an AC system separately — typically $3,000–$6,000. A heat pump gives you both heating and cooling in one system, making the effective cost comparison much closer.

Washington State Incentives

Washington State and local utilities currently offer significant rebates for heat pump installations as part of clean energy initiatives. These can range from $500 to $3,000 or more depending on the system and your utility provider.

Federal tax credits (up to 30% of installation cost) are also available for qualifying heat pump systems under the Inflation Reduction Act. These incentives can dramatically close the upfront cost gap.

Which Is Right for You?

A heat pump may be the better choice if:

• You don't currently have central AC and want both heating and cooling
• Your home is well-insulated and in a mild climate (like Snohomish County)
• You want to reduce your carbon footprint
• You want to take advantage of current rebates and tax credits

A gas furnace may be the better choice if:

• You already have central AC and just need to replace the furnace
• Your home has very high heating demands (large, older, poorly insulated)
• Natural gas prices in your area are significantly lower than electricity

The Bottom Line

For most Snohomish County homeowners replacing an aging system, a heat pump offers lower operating costs, the added benefit of cooling, and significant incentives that reduce the upfront cost gap. But every home is different.

We're happy to run the numbers for your specific situation. Call 425-610-6635 for a free consultation and estimate.