A COMPARISON GUIDE
The question of whether to select a high-efficiency propane furnace, a ground source heat pump (GSHP), or even a hybrid combination of the two often comes down to first costs, resident comfort, and home energy performance. Understanding these factors allows energy influencers to make the best choice for their projects and see that when propane is built in, the value stands out.
| TECHNOLOGY CHARACTERISTIC | HIGH-EFFICIENCY PROPANE FURNACE | GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP | KEY FACTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENERGY SOURCE | Uses propane, primarily, with a small amount of electrical energy for the blower. | Uses electricity as the energy input, while making use of the ground’s ability to act as a heat source or sink. | Propane furnaces use the thermal energy released by propane combustion to deliver hot air to the home, without the need for a back-up system.GSHPs consume electricity to run pumps, compressors, and fans. While GSHPs may have high-efficiency ratings, they also consume standard power from upstream power plants. |
| EFFICIENCY RATING | Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is a measure of a furnace’s efficiency in converting fuel to heating energy. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit. Propane furnaces are available with AFUE efficiency levels of 98. | Coefficient of Performance (COP) is the measure of the heating efficiency of a GSHP. COP represents the ratio of total heating capacity to the unit’s electrical energy input. | AFUE ratings account for fuel consumption directly related to space heating. However, they do not account for electrical use of the blower motor.COP measures efficiency, but does not reflect the performance of the entire GSHP system, excluding the energy required to pump the ground loop and blower motor. |
| ENERGY STAR PRODUCT CRITERIA | The Energy Star program certifies the following for high efficiency propane furnaces:
≥ 90 percent AFUE in Southern US ≥ 95 percent AFUE in Northern US Furnace fans that use ≤ 2 percent of the total system energy consumption during heating mode. (1) |
The Energy Star label approves 17.1 EER 3.6 COP for closed loop GSHP Systems, tested per ISO13256-1-1998. (2) | Energy Star-qualified propane furnaces adhere to both AFUE and fan efficiency specs — so all major aspects of the furnace’s energy use are ensured to be highly rated.The Energy Star product criteria for GSHPs does not account for pump energy used to move refrigerant through the extensive ground loop. This is a factor adding to the overall energy consumption. |
| CO2 EMISSIONS | Annual CO2 emissions from heating are about 14,400 lbs/year for a typical new home in the Midwest. | Annual CO2 emissions from heating are about 13,300 lbs/year for a typical new home in the Midwest. | Much of the electric power in the U.S. comes from fossil fuel-fired generation plants. Even with high-efficiency ratings, GSHPs are responsible for significant CO2 emissions. For new Midwest homes, GSHP systems have about 8.5 percent lower CO2 emissions compared with high-efficiency propane furnaces, but still consume electricity — resulting in nearly 6 metric tons of CO2/year.(3) |
| FIRST COST | $12,700(Average weighted first costs of entire system including air-conditioner as well.) (3) | $31,700(Average weighted first costs of entire system.) (3) | High-efficiency propane furnaces are extremely common in the marketplace, with 1650 units at ≥ 90 AFUE listed in the AHRI product directory.(4) They are also straightforward to size and install, resulting in a very reasonable first cost.The costs for a GSHP closed-loop system are significantly higher, driven by the added costs of drilling, pumps, tubing, and other material needs. These costs were based on the experience of several dozen industry experts.(3) |
| INCENTIVES AND CREDITS | Credits and rebates worth hundreds of dollars are available for high-efficiency furnaces in both new construction and system replacements, good during 2015 and beyond. Visit buildwithpropane.com and search under “News & Incentives” for details. | A Federal tax credit is available for GSHPs with EER ≥ 17.1 and COP ≥ 3.6. This credit covers 30 percent of the system first cost. For more information, visit energystar.gov. | High-efficiency systems like propane furnaces and GSHPs can qualify for a variety of federal, state, and local incentives.(5) However, even significant credits for GSHP systems — to the extent a homeowner is eligible — still result in a very high system first cost and lengthy payback period. |
| SIMPLE PAYBACK FOR A GSHP SYSTEM | 16-36 years to pay back the higher first cost compared with a high-efficiency propane furnace. Less than 10 years to pay back the higher first cost compared to a hybrid GSHP – propane furnace back-up system, which is less expensive due to a down-sized loop field. | Simple Payback measures annual energy savings to calculate the amount of time it takes to recover the GSHP system’s higher first cost compared with that of a high-efficiency propane furnace and standard A/C system.Despite high-performance levels, GSHP systems mean lengthy payback periods — even if federal tax credits can be applied. These payback durations are often longer than many homeowners will reside in the home. | |
| COMFORT | Supply temperatures range between 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit. | Supply temperatures range between 90-120 degrees Fahrenheit.(6) | Equipped with a multi-stage burner system and a variable speed blower, high-efficiency propane furnaces heat the home steadily and comfortably — generally delivering hotter air to the living space. |
| DESIGN | Furnaces are modular units allowing for quick installation and predictable system sizing. | GSHP systems typically require site-specific loop design and installation provisions. This can add cost and complexity. | HVAC contractors are well-versed in the design, installation, and maintenance of high-efficiency propane furnaces.In contrast, the maturity of the GSHP contractor workforce may vary in some areas. |
| SYSTEM LOCATION | Propane furnaces are easily installed in basements, attics, equipment closets, and other locations. Direct-vent designs allow the furnace to take combustion air directly from the outdoors, helping to ensure indoor air quality. | GSHP system requires wells, or “loop fields,” to be constructed. Loops may be run horizontally or vertically in trenches. | Space constraints are a significant issue in existing properties and urban areas.GSHP loop fields are a series of piping that is placed underground. A larger loop field, needed to meet higher heating/cooling loads, may mean deeper wells, more wells, or more trenches in limited spaces. |
RAISE THEIR COMFORT, LOWER THEIR COSTS WITH A HYBRID SYSTEM.
A high-efficiency propane furnace can be combined with an electric ground source heat pump (GSHP) to form a hybrid heating system. When used in colder climates, hybrid systems optimize the best features of both units. The GSHP system can be downsized, reducing its initial cost. And homeowners will get warmer, more comfortable heat while also reducing energy costs.
OPTIMIZING THE GSHP IN A HYBRID SYSTEM
A hybrid system is especially effective in heating-dominated climates. The GSHP’s ground loop can be downsized to handle 50-70 percent of the heating load, with the propane furnace satisfying the remainder. The ground loop will still be adequate to cover cooling, but the initial cost of the system can be trimmed considerably — by nearly $5,200 in one design example.(3) As a result, the payback period for a hybrid heating system is faster than a GSHP-only system.(6)
ENERGY FLEXIBILITY AND COST SAVINGS
Typical GSHP systems use inefficient electric resistance backup heat for colder temperatures. In hybrid systems, a high-efficiency propane furnace is used instead, maximizing the system’s overall efficiency. In effect, homeowners get the comfortable heat of propane furnaces during colder temperatures while also reducing their energy bills. Additionally, a hybrid heating system gives homeowners the flexibility to optimize their system around changing energy prices. More of the heating load can be allocated to the system with the lowest energy cost.
