I’m Dave Hartzell. 45 years on tools, Master HVAC license, Kingfisher OK. Heat pump versus gas furnace is one of the most common questions I get from Oklahoma homeowners. The honest answer is, it depends on three things: how long you’re staying in the home, what your current gas and electric utility costs look like, and whether the existing ductwork can handle the lower supply temperatures a heat pump puts out. I’ll walk through all three. 4.8 stars / 279 reviews.
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.
A real comparison from a Kingfisher install: Family asked me to bid both options on a 2,100 sq ft home replacing a 20-year-old AC plus 80 percent gas furnace. Heat pump bid (4-ton variable-speed Trane) came in $3,400 higher than the AC + 95 percent gas furnace bid. I ran the operating-cost math against the prior 12 months of OG&E and ONG bills. Heat pump pay-back: 7 years. Family chose the heat pump because they were planning to stay 20 plus years. Two winters in, they’ve called once: a frozen condensate trap, $111 fix. The math worked.
Trane XV heat pump, heats and cools efficiently year-round
Air handler, works with heat pump or gas furnace
Free System Estimate · I 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
I install both systems. Here’s when I 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 systema 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 homes300-500% 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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Also Serving
Kingfisher
Enid
Yukon
Mustang
Edmond
Guthrie
El Reno
Weatherford
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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 Replacementfree estimates on new heat pump or gas furnace systems
- Geothermal Heat Pumpsthe most efficient heating option for Oklahoma homes
- HVAC Financing OklahomaSynchrony, Wells Fargo, and Wisetack options available
Content reviewed by Dave HartzellOklahoma 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Heat pump or gas furnace, which is better in Oklahoma?
If you have natural gas already, a 96 percent gas furnace plus a 14.3 SEER2 AC is typically the most cost-effective combo. If you’re on propane or all-electric, a modern variable-speed heat pump beats everything. Both work great in our climate when sized and installed right.
How much can I save with a heat pump in Oklahoma?
Switching from electric resistance to a heat pump saves $800 to $1,400 per year for a typical Kingfisher home. Switching from a 15-year-old gas furnace to a new heat pump is roughly break-even on operating cost. The savings come on the cooling side.
Does a heat pump work in Oklahoma winters?
Yes. Oklahoma’s coldest design temp is around 10 degrees, well above the 0 to minus 13 degree threshold where modern cold-climate heat pumps lose efficiency. Trane, Mitsubishi, and Carrier inverter units run full capacity through our entire winter. Backup heat strips kick in only on ice storm days.
Will a heat pump heat my house as warm as my gas furnace?
Yes but the air feels different. Gas furnaces deliver 130 to 140 degree air in short blasts. Heat pumps deliver 95 to 105 degree air in longer runs. Same heat output, different feel. Some folks love it (more even temperature), some miss the gas blast. Try it before you decide.
Can I switch from gas furnace to heat pump in Oklahoma?
Yes. The conversion requires upsizing the breaker (usually 60-amp double pole), running a new disconnect, and matching the air handler to the heat pump. Total conversion cost typically runs $11,000 to $15,000 installed. Call me at 405-375-4822 for a free assessment.
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