A heat pump is the most efficient way to keep your home comfortable year round in Georgia's climate.

A heat pump can save you up to 30 percent on heating costs when compared with a gas furnace.

Heat pumps are more efficient than ever. Today's heat pumps are almost twice as efficient as they were 10 years ago. Last year, the federal government raised the minimum standards for heat pump efficiency, requiring that new heat pumps meet standards that increase cooling efficiency by 30 percent and heating efficiency by 13 percent from the previous standard. Manufacturers are working on advances in designs that continue to improve heat pump performance.

Heat pumps provide a constant, even temperature. Gas heat may feel warmer at the vent, because gas furnaces produce warmer air for shorter periods of time. Heat pumps supply air at about 90 degrees F, which feels cool because it's lower than body temperature. Because heat pumps supply air at a lower temperature for longer periods, heat can be more evenly distributed throughout the house.

Natural gas has a base charge for monthly service, even when you're not using it. With electricity, you only pay for the power you use. Also, the price of natural gas can fluctuate based on world events. Last year, high natural gas prices after Hurricane Katrina meant that some Georgians had very high heating costs from their natural gas furnaces. The price of electricity from Jackson EMC has remained relatively stable for many years.

A heat pump gives you added flexibility when designing a home. Heat pumps don't require flues or vent pipes that take up valuable space, and you have more flexibility about where to install heat pump components.

Since electric heat pumps have no open flame, they don't affect indoor air quality. They don't produce the soot and particulates that have been linked to allergies and respiratory problems. Also, a malfunctioning gas furnace can produce carbon monoxide (CO). Low concentrations of this colorless, odorless gas can cause flu-like symptoms and chest pain in people with heart disease. High concentrations of CO can be fatal. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that CO from heating systems, water heaters and stoves kills about 80 people in the United States each year.

Saving energy is the best way to save the environment. The added efficiency of a heat pump means you'll use less energy, and therefore reduce the amount of carbon monoxide and other pollutants. Saving energy makes the nation more secure by reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources.

Like all heating and cooling systems, to perform at their best, heat pumps must be installed correctly, including having the correct duct design and being sized correctly. Properly installed, a heat pump can keep you comfortable while saving you money for years to come.

How a Heat Pump Works

A heat pump is so efficient because it doesn't use energy to create heating and cooling. Instead, it extracts heat from the air.

In winter, a heat pump takes heat from the outside air and "pumps" it into the house. The only energy used is the amount of power it takes to transfer the heat. Even the coldest outdoor air holds a great deal of heat.

During the summer, the heat pump operation reverses, taking heat from the air inside your home and pumping it outside.