October 8, 2026

Choosing Between a Heat Pump, Gas Furnace, and Dual-Fuel System

Author

Trust 1 Services Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning

Choosing Between a Heat Pump, Gas Furnace, and Dual-Fuel System

Anthony Mound is the Owner and Master Plumber at Trust 1 Services, a Massachusetts plumbing and HVAC contracting company. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a trusted local provider, offering services such as pipe and drain work, HVAC installation and repair, and maintenance membership plans. Anthony has over 10 years of experience as a plumber.

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[1:14] Anthony Mound explains how heat pumps heat a home
[2:39] How backup heat strips help maintain comfort when temperatures drop
[3:51] Why heat pumps aren’t always cheaper than gas
[6:08] The importance of properly sealed and insulated ductwork for heat pump performance
[7:40] Dual-fuel systems as Anthony’s preferred option for homes with gas
[9:50] Why ductless heat pumps can work well in larger homes

In this episode…

Choosing between a heat pump and a gas furnace isn’t always as simple as comparing efficiency ratings. For Massachusetts homeowners, insulation, ductwork, utility costs, home size, and cold-weather performance can all affect which heating system is most effective. So how can you determine whether a heat pump, gas furnace, or dual-fuel system is right for your home?

For many homes with existing gas, a dual-fuel system can offer a practical balance between electric efficiency and reliable cold-weather heating. Homeowners should evaluate whether the home is well insulated and the ductwork is properly sealed and designed for a heat pump, since those issues can lead to higher energy bills and reduced comfort. HVAC business owner Anthony Mound recommends considering backup heat, the home’s size, and how well a heat pump maintains capacity as outdoor temperatures fall. Matching the heating system to the home — rather than choosing the newest technology — can lead to better comfort and more predictable operating costs.

In this episode of Everyday Comfort, Chad Franzen of Rise25 talks with Anthony Mound, Owner of Trust 1 Services, about the various types of heating systems. Anthony discusses cold-weather heat pump performance, why insulation and ductwork matter, and when dual-fuel makes sense. He also touches on backup heat, energy costs, and ductless systems for larger homes.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Anthony Mound on LinkedIn
Trust 1 Services: Website | Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn
Chad Franzen on LinkedIn
Rise25

Quotable Moments:

“Heat pumps can work down to negative 22.”
“We’ve seen some customers, not ours, have like $1,000 electric bills and even higher.”
“You could feel good knowing, hey, I have backup gas if I’m not comfortable with electric.”
“Between the maintenance and the upkeep and the … inconvenience and the cost of oil, electric is usually a better solution than oil.”
“If your house is insulated and it’s … a newer build … and your ductwork’s done usually pretty well, then a heat pump might be a good solution for you.”

Action Steps:

Evaluate your home before choosing a heat pump: Checking insulation, ductwork, home size, and overall design conditions helps determine whether a heat pump will perform efficiently and keep the home comfortable.
Improve insulation and seal ductwork first: Proper insulation and well-sealed ducts reduce heat loss, improve system performance, and help prevent unnecessarily high utility bills.
Plan for cold-weather backup heat: Adding a heat strip or another backup heat source helps maintain comfort when outdoor temperatures drop and the heat pump cannot meet the full heating load.
Compare operating costs before switching from gas: Reviewing electricity rates, gas costs, solar availability, and your current heating system helps you avoid assuming a heat pump will automatically cost less to run.
Consider a dual-fuel or ductless system when appropriate: Dual fuel can balance heat pump efficiency with gas backup, while ductless systems can provide better room-by-room comfort in larger homes.