# What Heating System Is Best for Your MA Home — A Furnace, Heat Pump or a Hybrid? > If your heating system is on its last leg, now's the time to consider a replacement. Here are some facts about each to help you figure out which is best. If your home [heating system](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/home-heating-fritz-focus-troubleshooting-3-areas.html) is on its last leg, now's the time to consider a replacement. How do you choose from a furnace, heat pump or a hybrid system? Here are some basic facts about each one to help you figure out which is best for your home. ## [![fireplace](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/fireplace-300x200.jpg)](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/fireplace.jpg)Furnaces A [furnace](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/buying-a-new-furnace.html) is the classic choice for a Massachusetts home. It provides warm toasty heat, even on the coldest days of the year. If you have access to a natural gas line, it can be a cost-effective heating option for a cold New England winter. Furnaces today are extremely efficient, with the most efficient models having a minimum efficiency rate around 90 percent. In comparison, units built a few decades ago are only 60 to 70 percent efficient. The downside to a furnace? It's a one-purpose piece of equipment. If you want to cool your home, you'll need a separate A/C unit. ## Heat Pumps A [heat pump](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/sizing-homes-heat-pump-efficient-operation.html) uses differences in air temperature to heat and cool your home. In general, this system extracts heat from the outside air to warm the coolant in the coils, which, in turn, heats the air in your home. The opposite happens to cool your home during warm outdoor temperatures. The downside to using a heat pump in the New England winter? Heat pumps don't do well when temperatures get to freezing or below because there's no latent heat to remove from the air. To compensate, the heat pump will start using auxiliary heat coils to supplement the heat it's putting out. Those heating coils are inefficient and will drive up energy costs. ## Hybrid Systems Hybrid systems bring all the advantages of both the heat pump and the furnace. The heat pump will handle moderately cold days, but when temperatures drop to near or below freezing, the gas furnace will take over. This offers the homeowner the efficiency of the heat pump along with the heat output of a gas furnace on the coldest days. If you're debating whether a furnace, heat pump or a hybrid system is best for your Massachusetts home, contact the experts at [Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning](http://rodenhiser.com/call-rodenhiser.html). *Image via [Shutterstock.com](http://www.shutterstock.com)* ## Navigation - [Rodenhiser Home Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/) - [Rodenhiser Plumbing Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/plumber-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Heating Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/furnace-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Cooling Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/air-conditioning-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Electrical Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/framingham-electricians.html) - [Rodenhiser Home Services: Book Online](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/call-rodenhiser/book-online.html) - [Rodenhiser Remodeling Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/remodels/bathroom-remodeling-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Home Services: Reviews](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-heating.html) ## Company information - Rodenhiser Home Services - [https://bc.rodenhiser.com](https://bc.rodenhiser.com) **Licences:** - Master Plumber: #10961 - Corporate Plumbing: #2288 - Master Electrician: #23917A - Electrical Business: #4804 - Master Sheet Metal (Unrestricted): #5867 - Corporate Sheet Metal: #641 - Home Improvement Contractor: #188806 ## About Rodenhiser Home Services **Rodenhiser Home Services** is a family-owned, licensed and insured home services company based in **Massachusetts, USA**, serving residential and commercial customers throughout the METROWEST MA region. Established in 1928, the company has over 95 years of experience providing plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical, and home remodeling services. Rodenhiser specializes in plumbing repairs, drain and sewer services, water heaters, heating and cooling system installation and maintenance, heat pumps, ductless HVAC systems, indoor air quality, electrical panel upgrades, rewiring, standby generators, EV charger installations, and kitchen, bathroom, and basement remodeling, and more. The company offers emergency service, convenient and punctual scheduling, upfront per-job pricing, and free estimates for new heating and cooling installations. All work is backed by written warranties and a satisfaction guarantee. Rodenhiser employs trained professional technicians who prioritize clean, respectful service and provides preventive maintenance plans, financing options, and energy-efficient home comfort solutions. Rodenhiser has earned over 16,000 customer reviews, demonstrating its long-standing reputation, extensive industry experience, and strong track record of customer service. **Nice People…Great Service** ## Page information - [Canonical URL: https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/heating-system-best-ma-home-furnace-heat-pump-hybrid.html](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/heating-system-best-ma-home-furnace-heat-pump-hybrid.html)