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La mayoría de las casas de Texas tienen una unidad de AC central Y una calefacción a gas — dos sistemas separados para refrigeración y calefacción. Una bomba de calor hace ambos trabajos con una sola unidad exterior, usando los mismos ductos que ya tiene. Un sistema reemplaza dos.
Última actualización: febrero 2026
Crédito fiscal federal 25C expiró 31 dic 2025. Todas las comparaciones de costos en esta página reflejan precios de 2026 sin créditos fiscales federales. Los reembolsos estatales y de compañías siguen disponibles.
Entender el concepto central hace que la comparación de costos tenga sentido.
Condensador exterior + serpentín evaporador interior. Funciona de abril a octubre en la mayor parte de TX. Compresor afuera, manejadora de aire adentro.
Quema gas natural para generar calor. Sistema separado del AC, típicamente ubicado adentro. Requiere línea de gas, chimenea de escape y entrada de aire de combustión.
Idéntico a un AC — mueve calor de adentro hacia afuera. Las bombas de calor modernas a SEER2 16-20 son 15-30% más eficientes que un AC típico SEER 14.
Invierte el flujo de refrigerante para extraer calor del aire exterior y moverlo adentro. Sin combustión, sin necesidad de línea de gas. Funciona eficientemente en inviernos suaves de TX.
Las bombas de calor son más eficientes en climas suaves — y Texas tiene inviernos suaves. Las temperaturas mínimas promedio de invierno van de 35-45 grados F en la mayor parte del estado. Eso pone a las bombas de calor de TX en su rango de máxima eficiencia (COP 3.5-4.5) para toda la temporada de calefacción. A diferencia de los estados del noreste que necesitan unidades costosas para clima frío, las bombas de calor estándar funcionan perfectamente para Texas. Por eso Texas es uno de los mejores estados del país para la economía de bombas de calor.
Comparación lado a lado para una casa típica de 2,000 pies cuadrados de TX. Electricidad a $0.14/kWh (promedio TX), gas natural a $1.10/therm (promedio TX).
| Categoría | AC + Calefacción a Gas (Separados) | Bomba de Calor (Combinado) |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment cost | AC: $4,000-$8,000 + Furnace: $3,000-$6,000 = $7,000-$14,000 | $5,500-$11,000 |
| Annual cooling cost | ~$1,500 (SEER 14-16) | ~$1,100 (SEER2 16-20) |
| Annual heating cost | ~$990 (gas at $1.10/therm) | ~$460 (COP 3.5 at $0.14/kWh) |
| Annual maintenance | 2 contracts (~$300-$500 total) | 1 contract (~$150-$250) |
| Lifespan | AC: 15-20yr, Furnace: 20-30yr | 15-20 years |
| Utility rebate | $0 (no rebate for AC/furnace) | Up to $600-$3,000 (depending on utility) |
| Safety | Gas leak/CO risk from furnace | No gas combustion — all electric |
AC: $4,000-$8,000 + Furnace: $3,000-$6,000 = $7,000-$14,000
$5,500-$11,000
~$1,500 (SEER 14-16)
~$1,100 (SEER2 16-20)
~$990 (gas at $1.10/therm)
~$460 (COP 3.5 at $0.14/kWh)
2 contracts (~$300-$500 total)
1 contract (~$150-$250)
AC: 15-20yr, Furnace: 20-30yr
15-20 years
$0 (no rebate for AC/furnace)
Up to $600-$3,000 (depending on utility)
Gas leak/CO risk from furnace
No gas combustion — all electric
Electricity: $0.14/kWh (TX EIA average, February 2026). Gas: $1.10/therm (TX EIA average). AC efficiency: SEER 14 (existing typical). Heat pump efficiency: SEER2 18 cooling / COP 3.5 heating. Gas furnace: 88% AFUE. Costs are annual estimates for a 2,000 sq ft home with average insulation.
Understanding where the savings come from — and being honest about the limits.
The majority of TX energy bills go to cooling. Even modest efficiency gains translate to meaningful dollar savings because the cooling season is 6-7 months long.
A gas furnace creates heat by burning fuel at 80-92% efficiency. A heat pump moves heat from outside air at 200-400% efficiency (COP 2.0-4.0). It does not create heat; it transfers it.
Texas natural gas is cheap — about $1.10/therm vs $1.85 in CT or $4.50/gallon for heating oil in New England. That means the heating savings from switching to a heat pump in TX are real but more modest than in Northeast states. The total $800-$1,500/year in TX compares to $1,700-$2,500/year savings for NE oil-to-heat-pump conversions. We believe in giving you the honest numbers.
Not every situation calls for a heat pump. Here are the scenarios where switching delivers the strongest return.
This is the most compelling scenario. If you are already paying $4,000-$8,000 for a new AC, the incremental cost to get a heat pump that also heats is surprisingly small. You eliminate the future furnace replacement entirely.
If both systems are nearing end-of-life, replacing two systems with one heat pump saves $1,500-$3,000 in total equipment cost and cuts your maintenance contracts in half.
One outdoor unit, one maintenance contract, one system to monitor. Heat pumps use the same ductwork as your current AC and furnace. The swap is straightforward for any licensed HVAC contractor.
Heat pumps are becoming standard in new TX construction. Builders save on equipment and installation costs by running one system instead of two. Many 2025-2026 new builds in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio ship with heat pumps.
No gas furnace means no gas leak risk, no carbon monoxide risk, and no pilot light. A heat pump is 100% electric — heat is moved, not created through combustion.
Austin Energy offers up to $3,000 for qualifying heat pumps. CPS Energy (San Antonio) and Oncor-served utilities also offer rebates ranging from $600-$1,500. These rebates apply only to heat pumps, not standard AC or furnace replacements.
We are not here to oversell. Here are scenarios where keeping your gas furnace makes financial sense.
A modern high-efficiency gas furnace (92-96% AFUE) has 15-25 years of life left. If your furnace is nearly new and working well, replace only your AC now and revisit the heat pump option when the furnace ages out.
Some TX areas, particularly in the Permian Basin and near natural gas hubs, have gas rates well below $1.00/therm. At those rates, the heating cost savings from a heat pump are minimal, though you still save on cooling and maintenance.
If you are in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Winter Storm Uri (2021) still concerns you, consider a dual-fuel hybrid system. This pairs a heat pump for 90% of the year with a gas furnace backup for the coldest nights.
If your budget only covers one system and the AC is what failed, just replace the AC. A standard 16 SEER2 AC costs $4,000-$7,000. You can always convert to a heat pump when the furnace needs replacing later.
The best time to switch from two systems to a heat pump is when your AC needs replacement. You are already spending $4,000-$8,000 on new cooling — the incremental cost to get heating included is relatively small. The worst time is when your AC and furnace are both under 5 years old and working perfectly.
Not ready to fully ditch gas? A dual-fuel hybrid pairs a heat pump with your existing gas furnace as backup. Popular in Dallas-Fort Worth where Winter Storm Uri (2021) concerns linger.
In North TX, the heat pump handles all cooling (April-October) and most heating (November-March). The gas furnace only activates during the handful of nights below 30 degrees F each winter.
Below ~30 degrees F, the thermostat automatically switches to the gas furnace. This provides insurance against polar vortex events without sacrificing year-round efficiency.
The heat pump operates at COP 3.5-4.5 during TX mild winters, far exceeding the gas furnace efficiency. You only fall back to gas when the heat pump efficiency drops below gas cost-effectiveness.
Installed cost
Heating hours on heat pump
Switchover temperature (adjustable)
The thermostat manages the switchover automatically. Below the balance point (~30 degrees F), the system switches from heat pump to gas furnace. Most modern smart thermostats support dual-fuel configuration. Your installer sets the balance point during setup.
TX homes typically need larger systems than NE homes because the cooling load is the dominant design factor. Getting the size right is critical.
| System Size | Home Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3 ton | 1,400-1,800 sq ft | Small to medium TX home. Common in older neighborhoods. |
| 3.5 ton | 1,800-2,200 sq ft | Average TX home. Most common residential size. |
| 4 ton | 2,200-2,800 sq ft | Larger TX home. Common in newer suburban developments. |
| 5 ton | 2,800-3,500 sq ft | Large TX home. Dual-zone systems may be more efficient at this size. |
An oversized heat pump short-cycles — turning on and off rapidly instead of running in steady state. This kills dehumidification, which is critical in Houston and the Gulf Coast region. An oversized system cools the air temperature quickly but shuts off before removing enough moisture, leaving you with a cold, clammy house. Always require a Manual J load calculation.
Houston, San Antonio, and the Gulf Coast have extreme humidity. Variable-speed heat pumps excel at dehumidification because they can run at low speed for extended periods, removing moisture continuously. This is a significant comfort upgrade over single-stage AC units that blast cold air and shut off.
Any reputable installer will perform a Manual J load calculation before recommending a system size. This accounts for your home square footage, insulation, window area and orientation, duct condition, and local climate data. If an installer quotes a system size without a Manual J, find a different installer.
Modern heat pumps require a compatible smart thermostat for optimal operation, especially dual-fuel systems. The thermostat manages the switchover point, controls variable-speed operation, and can integrate with your utility demand response programs for additional savings.
With the federal 25C credit expired, utility rebates are the primary incentive for TX heat pump installations. Availability varies by your electric utility.
The federal Section 25C energy efficiency tax credit (previously up to $2,000 for heat pumps) expired December 31, 2025 under the OBBBA. It is no longer available for any installations in 2026. Utility rebates are the remaining financial incentives for TX homeowners.
Complete guide to utility rebates by provider
Read guideInstallation costs, pricing by system size, and ROI
Read guideAll TX heat pump and energy guides
Explore hubNational heat pump guides by state
Read guideHeat pump + solar + battery bundle analysis
Read guideWhy NE saves more — and how TX compares
Read guideNuWatt Energy helps Texas homeowners replace their aging AC and gas furnace with a single, efficient heat pump system. Get a free assessment, see your personalized savings estimate, and find out which utility rebates you qualify for.