When it’s time to replace your heating system, one question comes up on almost every estimate: heat pump or gas furnace? The honest answer depends on your specific situation — your energy costs, your climate zone in Oklahoma, how cold your winters actually get, and what you already have. Here’s a straightforward breakdown from a contractor who installs both.
Trane XV heat pump — heats and cools efficiently year-round
Air handler — works with heat pump or gas furnace
Free System Estimate · We Install Both · 405-375-4822
How Each System Works
Air-Source Heat Pump
Moves heat rather than creating it. In winter, it extracts heat from outdoor air (even cold air contains heat) and moves it inside. In summer, it reverses and works as an AC. One system handles both heating and cooling. Efficiency is measured in COP — modern heat pumps deliver 2–4 units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed.
Gas Furnace
Burns natural gas or propane to create heat. Efficiency is measured in AFUE — an 80% AFUE furnace converts 80 cents of every dollar of gas into heat. A 95% AFUE furnace converts 95 cents. Gas furnaces produce hotter supply air (typically 120–140°F) than heat pumps (90–100°F), which some Oklahoma homeowners prefer for the “warm” feeling.
The Oklahoma Climate Factor
This is the critical point that gets overlooked in generic heat pump comparisons. Oklahoma has a mixed-humid/mixed-dry climate with significant temperature swings:
- Summers: routinely 95–110°F — a heat pump is just an AC here, both systems are equivalent
- Fall/spring: 40–65°F — heat pump is highly efficient, typically 2.5–4x more efficient than resistance heat
- Winter: average lows 25–35°F, but ice storms push temperatures to single digits for days at a time
The key issue: air-source heat pump efficiency drops as outdoor temperatures fall. At 35°F, a heat pump is still 200–300% efficient. At 15°F, it may be only 100–150% efficient. Below about 5–10°F, most standard heat pumps struggle to keep up and the emergency backup heat (usually electric resistance) kicks in.
Bottom line for Oklahoma: Standard heat pumps work well here most of the year. The question is whether your winters are extreme enough, and how long, to make gas the better heating fuel. In Kingfisher, for most years, a heat pump performs well. But in a bad ice storm week — extended sub-10°F conditions — a gas furnace heats the house faster and cheaper.
Cost Comparison: Gas vs. Electric Heat Pump
Oklahoma City-area rates as of 2026 (check your utility for exact figures):
| Factor | Heat Pump | Gas Furnace (95% AFUE) |
|---|---|---|
| Heating efficiency | 200–400% (COP 2–4) | 95% AFUE |
| Cooling (summer) | Included (same unit) | Separate AC required |
| Supply air temp | 90–100°F | 120–140°F |
| Cold weather performance | Reduced below 15°F | Full output regardless |
| Equipment lifespan | 15–20 years | 20–30 years (furnace) |
| Installed cost (central OK) | $4,500–$9,000 | $3,500–$8,000 (furnace + AC) |
The Honest Recommendation
We install both systems. Here’s when we recommend each:
Choose a heat pump if:
- You don’t have gas service (avoids expensive line installation)
- You’re replacing an older electric furnace or resistance baseboard heat
- You want one system for heating and cooling
- Your electricity rates are favorable vs. gas
- You want to qualify for OG&E or co-op rebates on heat pumps
- Your home is well-insulated and winter heating loads are moderate
Choose gas furnace if:
- You already have gas service and gas is cheaper than electricity per BTU
- Your home is poorly insulated (gas heats faster)
- You’re in a rural area prone to extended ice storms and power outages (gas works without electricity)
- You need maximum heat output on the coldest days
- You prefer the “warmer” feel of 130°F supply air vs. 95°F heat pump air
The dual-fuel option: Many Oklahoma homes benefit from a dual-fuel system — a heat pump paired with a gas furnace. The heat pump handles most heating (it’s more efficient down to about 35–40°F), then the gas furnace kicks in for the coldest days. This gets you the best efficiency in mild weather and reliable performance in extreme cold. Ask us about dual-fuel sizing when you call for an estimate.
What About Geothermal?
If you have the acreage for a loop field, geothermal is the most efficient option for Oklahoma homes — 300–500% efficiency year-round, not affected by outdoor air temperature because it uses the ground (which stays 55–60°F year-round in Oklahoma). With CKenergy’s $2,000/ton rebate in Kingfisher area, the economics have improved significantly even without the expired federal tax credit. Learn about geothermal ›
Written by Dave Hartzell, Master HVAC Technician, NATE Certified, IGSHPA Accredited Geothermal Installer. Hartzell’s Heat & Air has served central Oklahoma for 15+ years.
Need a New Heating System in Central Oklahoma?
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Need service? See our Heat Pump Installation page for pricing, service area, and same-day availability across central Oklahoma. Call 405-375-4822.
Also Serving
Kingfisher
Enid
Yukon
Mustang
Edmond
Guthrie
El Reno
Weatherford
Questions? Ready to Schedule?
Call 405-375-4822 or book online. Same-day appointments often available. Free estimates on new systems.
Related Services from Hartzell’s Heat & Air
- HVAC System Replacement — free estimates on new heat pump or gas furnace systems
- Geothermal Heat Pumps — the most efficient heating option for Oklahoma homes
- HVAC Financing Oklahoma — Synchrony, Wells Fargo, and Wisetack options available
Content reviewed by Dave Hartzell — Oklahoma Master HVAC License #00115936, IGSHPA Accredited Geothermal Installer, Mitsubishi Diamond Dealer, Trane Comfort Specialist TCS SELECT. Hartzell’s Heat & Air, Kingfisher OK, for 15+ years.