Short answer: a heat pump quote lists one outdoor heat pump plus an indoor air handler (or furnace for a dual-fuel system), and should give both SEER2 (cooling) and HSPF2 (heating) ratings. An AC and furnace quote lists an outdoor AC, an indoor coil and a furnace, with SEER2 for cooling and AFUE for the furnace. Both should include the same installation scope.
Guide
Heat pump vs AC and furnace: reading the quote
A heat pump heats and cools with one outdoor unit; an AC and furnace split the job. Here is how to read each kind of quote.
| Heat pump | AC and furnace | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor unit | Heat pump (heats and cools) | Air conditioner (cools only) |
| Indoor unit | Air handler, or furnace for dual fuel | Furnace with an indoor coil |
| Cooling rating | SEER2 | SEER2 |
| Heating rating | HSPF2 | AFUE (furnace efficiency) |
| Backup heat | Electric heat strips or a furnace | The furnace itself |
| Model numbers to list | Outdoor unit, air handler, heat strips | Outdoor unit, coil, furnace |
How a heat pump differs
A heat pump moves heat instead of making it: in winter it pulls heat from outdoor air into the house, and in summer it reverses. In a ducted system, the outdoor unit connects to an indoor coil in the air handler, just like a central air conditioner. The Department of Energy notes that cold-climate heat pump technology has improved significantly.
Because a heat pump does both jobs, its heating performance matters as much as its cooling rating. Ask for the HSPF2 rating of the exact outdoor and indoor combination, and, in colder areas, how much heat it delivers at low outdoor temperatures.
Ask about backup heat and the thermostat
Most heat pump systems have backup heat for the coldest days: electric resistance strips in the air handler, or a gas furnace in a dual-fuel system. The quote should say which, what size, and how the thermostat controls it. A thermostat that is not designed for heat pumps can run expensive backup heat more than needed.
Questions about this guide
Can a heat pump replace my furnace entirely?
In many climates, yes. In very cold areas, some homeowners keep a furnace as backup (dual fuel). Ask about performance at your local design temperature.
Do I need new ductwork for a heat pump?
Not always. Existing ducts can often be reused if they are the right size and in good condition. Ask what the contractor checked.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy, About Air-Source Heat Pumps verified November 1, 2026
- ENERGY STAR, Air-Source Heat Pump Key Product Criteria verified November 1, 2026
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver Guide verified November 1, 2026
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