Heat pump vs Furnace in Honolulu County, Hawaii
When a heat pump makes sense
This fits a home that wants one system for both jobs. Winter nights here average 66°F from December through February, well within what a standard heat pump handles without trouble, and the same unit gives you cooling the rest of the year. It also costs about 15% less to run than a gas furnace at Hawaii prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace only heats, so a home relying on one still needs a separate system for cooling. With winter nights averaging 66°F here, there is little cold for it to work against, and it costs more to run than a heat pump at Hawaii's rates.
When a heat pump makes sense
This fits a home that wants one system for both jobs. Winter nights here average 66°F from December through February, well within what a standard heat pump handles without trouble, and the same unit gives you cooling the rest of the year. It also costs about 15% less to run than a gas furnace at Hawaii prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace only heats, so a home relying on one still needs a separate system for cooling. With winter nights averaging 66°F here, there is little cold for it to work against, and it costs more to run than a heat pump at Hawaii's rates.
Heat pump
- Runs on
- Electricity
- What it does
- Heats and cools
- Tax credit
- No federal tax credit since the end of 2025
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy · Internal Revenue Code
Furnace
- Runs on
- Natural gas
- What it does
- Heats only
- Tax credit
- No federal tax credit since the end of 2025
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy · Internal Revenue Code
Heat pump wins in Honolulu County.
Winter nights here only dip to 66°F, so a heat pump keeps up easily, and it costs about 15% less to run than gas.
If your home already has a furnace and gas line in place and you have no want for cooling, there is no need to switch.
Find a contractor| Compared on | Heat pump | Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to run here | About 15% less to run | Costs more to run |
| What it does | Heats and cools | Heats only |
| Homes in the Pacific states that heat with one | 4.8% | 56.9% |
| Handles a 66°F night | Standard models lose heating power in the cold; cold-climate models are built for it | Yes |
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, NOAA
When a heat pump makes sense
This fits a home that wants one system for both jobs. Winter nights here average 66°F from December through February, well within what a standard heat pump handles without trouble, and the same unit gives you cooling the rest of the year. It also costs about 15% less to run than a gas furnace at Hawaii prices.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace only heats, so a home relying on one still needs a separate system for cooling. With winter nights averaging 66°F here, there is little cold for it to work against, and it costs more to run than a heat pump at Hawaii's rates.
A Honolulu County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
Tell us about the job
It takes about a minute.