When it is time to replace a heating system in Tucson, most homeowners face the same choice: a heat pump or a gas furnace. Both work well in Southern Arizona, but they work differently, and the right answer depends on your home, your gas service and where you live.

How a heat pump works

A heat pump is an air conditioner that can run in reverse. In summer it moves heat out of your home. In winter it pulls heat from the outdoor air and moves it inside. Because it moves heat instead of creating it by burning fuel, it is very efficient in mild weather.

Tucson is a good fit. Most winter nights are cool rather than freezing, and daytime temperatures are often pleasant. That is the range where a heat pump does its best work.

How a gas furnace works

A gas furnace burns natural gas (or propane in some rural homes) to heat air, then blows it through your ducts. It produces warmer air at the vents than a heat pump, and it heats a house quickly on a cold night. In most homes it is paired with a separate air conditioner for summer.

Heat pump: the advantages in Tucson

  • One system for the whole year. The same outdoor unit handles both cooling and heating.
  • Efficient in mild winters. Our typical winter nights are exactly where heat pumps perform well.
  • No gas line needed. Many Tucson homes, casitas and additions do not have gas service.
  • No combustion in the home. No flame and no carbon monoxide from the heating system itself.
  • Ductless options. Mitsubishi ductless mini-splits are heat pumps too, ideal for rooms, casitas and garages.

Gas furnace: the advantages

  • Very warm air. Some people simply prefer the feel of furnace heat on a cold morning.
  • Strong on cold nights. In higher towns such as Oracle, Sierra Vista and parts of Vail, winter nights are noticeably colder than central Tucson, and a furnace keeps up easily.
  • Simple if you already have gas. If the house has a working gas line and a furnace in good condition, keeping gas heat can be the straightforward choice.

The best of both: dual-fuel systems

A dual-fuel system pairs a heat pump with a gas furnace. The heat pump handles cooling and most of the heating, and the furnace takes over on the coldest nights. For homes with gas service in colder spots around Southern Arizona, it is often the most comfortable and efficient setup.

What really decides the right choice

The right system depends on your specific home, not on a general rule. During a free in-home estimate we look at:

  • Whether you have gas service, and the condition of your current furnace and ductwork
  • Where you live and how cold your nights get
  • The size, insulation and sun exposure of your home (Brandon runs a load calculation before every install as an internal double check)
  • Your comfort preferences and how long you plan to stay
  • Your budget, warranty options and financing

Operating costs depend on your home, your utility rates and how you use the system, so we walk you through the options for your house rather than promise a number.

Brands and warranties

Arctic Cowboy installs American Standard heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners, with a 12-year compressor and 10-year parts warranty on qualified systems, and Mitsubishi Electric heat pumps and ductless systems as a Preferred Diamond Dealer, with a 12-year parts and compressor warranty on qualifying installs. We service all major brands.

Replacing your system? Financing is available for qualified customers through Wisetack and Synchrony, including 0% deferred interest options. See how financing works, or read when to repair or replace.

Get an honest recommendation

Arctic Cowboy is a family-owned HVAC company in Tucson, run by Brandon and Kelly Sill, licensed, bonded and insured (AZ ROC #359497) and rated 5.0 across more than 130 Google reviews. We install heat pumps, furnaces and dual-fuel systems across Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Vail, Sahuarita, Green Valley, Sierra Vista and nearby towns. Call or text 520-633-9931 or request a free estimate.