Heat pump vs Furnace in Lonoke County, Arkansas
When a heat pump makes sense
If your home heats with electricity already, a heat pump is the natural fit, and it costs about 15% less to run here than natural gas at Arkansas prices. Winters here are mild enough that a heat pump can carry the load, with lows around 34°F and only about 5 months of heating needed. Just make sure you're looking at a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power once temperatures drop.
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has a gas line and gas furnace, there's a case for staying with it, especially if you want a system built around heating alone. Gas costs more to run than a heat pump at Arkansas prices, so this makes the most sense if your home isn't set up for electric heat or you have reasons to keep the gas furnace you have.
When a heat pump makes sense
If your home heats with electricity already, a heat pump is the natural fit, and it costs about 15% less to run here than natural gas at Arkansas prices. Winters here are mild enough that a heat pump can carry the load, with lows around 34°F and only about 5 months of heating needed. Just make sure you're looking at a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power once temperatures drop.
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has a gas line and gas furnace, there's a case for staying with it, especially if you want a system built around heating alone. Gas costs more to run than a heat pump at Arkansas prices, so this makes the most sense if your home isn't set up for electric heat or you have reasons to keep the gas furnace you have.
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 Lonoke County.
Most homes here already run on electric heat, winters only dip to 34°F, and a heat pump costs about 15% less to run than gas.
If your home already has a gas line and you'd rather not touch your cooling setup, a furnace is still worth a look.
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 south-central states that heat with one | 18.5% | 61.1% |
| Handles a 34°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
If your home heats with electricity already, a heat pump is the natural fit, and it costs about 15% less to run here than natural gas at Arkansas prices. Winters here are mild enough that a heat pump can carry the load, with lows around 34°F and only about 5 months of heating needed. Just make sure you're looking at a cold-climate model, since standard heat pumps lose heating power once temperatures drop.
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has a gas line and gas furnace, there's a case for staying with it, especially if you want a system built around heating alone. Gas costs more to run than a heat pump at Arkansas prices, so this makes the most sense if your home isn't set up for electric heat or you have reasons to keep the gas furnace you have.
A Lonoke County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
Tell us about the job
It takes about a minute.