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Boost your efficiency.
Lower your emissions.

Learn how Trane’s electric-powered systems can deliver a cleaner, healthier and more eco-friendly heating and cooling experience.

Why choose electric heat?

Electric heating systems use electricity to produce and circulate heat throughout your home instead of relying on natural gas. That means, when you choose an electric heating option, like a heat pump or hybrid system, you’re reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions coming from your home.

What electric heating looks like

A Trane heat pump.

Heat Pumps

Trane’s electric heat pumps extract heat from the air outside and deposit it into your home in order to heat it during the winter. In the summer, heat pumps reverse the flow of refrigerant and remove hot air from your home to leave it feeling cool. In most cases, a heat pump is paired with an air handler that circulates the newly cooled or warmed air.

A Trane packaged system with heat pump, furnace, and thermostat. Combined these items make a hybrid system.

Hybrid Systems

Hybrid systems (also called dual fuel systems) combine heat pumps and gas furnaces to heat and cool your home. They work together to keep you comfortable by only using both systems in their optimal conditions. Your heat pump cools your home and heats it until it gets too cold outside. That’s when the gas furnace kicks in to finish the job.

Heat Pumps vs Furnaces

Discover further advantages of using electric heat instead of a furnace.

Heat Pumps
Furnaces
Ideal Climate
Mild climates
Mild and cold climates
Energy Efficiency*
Up to 300% energy-efficient
Up to 97.3% energy-efficient
Method Used to Generate Heat
Electricity
Gas or oil
Lifespan
About 15 years
About 15-20 years
*The energy efficiency shown for a heat pump is at optimal efficiency, but can decline overtime, especially in consistently cold temperatures.

Explore more heat pump benefits

Heat pumps are flexible, efficient, and eco-friendly systems. They’re ideal for homeowners living in mild or moderate climates without extreme winters, but almost anyone can benefit from investing in a heat pump.

Utilize electricity

Electric heat pumps don’t burn fossil fuels to produce heat. Instead, they utilize electricity to generate warmth. That means they don’t produce greenhouse gases that could affect the environment and climate.

Better efficiency, fewer costs

Trane heat pumps use less energy than other HVAC systems. Several of our models are ENERGY STAR®-qualified, so they meet the federal government’s strict energy usage guidelines. Plus, when a system uses less energy, it’s better for the environment.

Learn more about ENERGY STAR®

Completely versatile

Heat pumps have two important jobs: heating and cooling your home. Simply turn on your heating or cooling setting to change how your heat pump is operating and let the system do the rest.

Air handler compatible

Heat pumps pair nicely with air handlers, which help circulate conditioned air throughout your home. While your heat pump’s hard at work transferring air inside your home, your air handler makes sure it reaches the rooms where you want it.

Read more about air handlers

Trane technician standing with outdoor heat pump and air conditioner.

Can heat pumps really cool your home?

Yes! Although one common misconception about heat pumps is that they can only heat, the truth is that heat pumps can both heat and cool your home. Inside the heat pump is a part called the reversing valve, which allows the system to switch the flow of refrigerant and perform whichever function is needed. Further, heat pumps are typically paired with an air handler, which helps circulate both newly warmed and cooled air throughout your entire home.

Woman checking thermostat settings.

What makes heat pumps & hybrid systems efficient?

Electric heat pumps and hybrid systems use a minimal amount of energy. The Department of Energy estimates that air-source heat pumps can provide one-and-a-half to three times more heat energy to a home than the electric energy they consume. That's because they take heat from the air outside and move it inside instead of burning natural gas or using electric heat strips to heat your home. That means, both these systems can be more eco-friendly and cost effective.

Why might you consider a hybrid system?

With a hybrid system, you get the best of both HVAC worlds: hot and cool air all year long. In certain conditions, pairing a heat pump with a gas furnace can save you time, money, and energy.

Illustration of outdoor air moving into a home

You live in a changing climate

If you live in a changing climate, a hybrid system takes the best qualities of both systems to tackle any conditions you might wake up to. They utilize a heat pump to cool your home during the spring and summer, as well as heat it in mild winter conditions. But, when the temperature drops, the gas furnace kicks on to really warm your home.

You live in a home with a furnace

Your home may have been constructed with a gas furnace. Removing your furnace could be very costly, which is why a hybrid system may be best. You'll get to keep your furnace and add a heat pump.

You want to lower your energy costs

Because a hybrid system uses both the heat pump and furnace in their optimal conditions, neither is exerting unnecessary energy when it’s turned on. This is good for the environment and your bank account, because you’ll likely save on utility bills.

You care about our planet

Hybrid systems reduce the amount of carbon emissions you’re producing by heating and cooling your home because they can use less fossil fuels. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, a hybrid system is a great place to start.

Green Guide

A greener system is good thing for your home, your environment, and your wallet.

Buyer’s Guide

Learn helpful HVAC tips and tricks before you purchase your system.

Pricing Guide

Various factors can impact the price of a new HVAC system: plan ahead with our guide.