Heat Pump Myths

We get it — heat pumps have been around for decades, but the technology (and the misinformation about it) hasn't stood still. Let's clear up the three we hear the most.

Myth #1: “Heat pumps are just glorified electric heaters.”

Reality: Technically, both run on electricity — that's where the similarity ends. Electric resistance heat (baseboards, electric furnaces) converts electricity directly into heat at a 1:1 ratio. In efficiency terms, that's a coefficient of performance (COP) of 1.0, or 100% efficient, full stop. A heat pump doesn't make heat that way. It moves existing heat from the outdoor air into your home using a refrigerant cycle, which is why a heat pump can deliver a COP of 2 to 4+ depending on outdoor temperature — in plain English, 200–400%+ efficient. Same fuel source as a baseboard heater, wildly different technology.

Myth #2: “Heat pumps constantly need their refrigerant refilled, like an old car AC.”

Reality: A heat pump is a sealed, closed-loop refrigerant system. Under normal operation, refrigerant circulates continuously and isn't consumed or “used up” the way fuel is. If a system is ever low on refrigerant, that's a sign of a leak that needs to be found and repaired — not routine maintenance. A properly installed, well-maintained heat pump shouldn't need refrigerant added at all over the course of its service life.

Myth #3: “Heat pumps cost more to run than oil or propane.”

Reality: In most Hudson Valley homes, it's actually the opposite. Based on current NY fuel and electric pricing, a properly sized heat pump runs at roughly half the daily cost of an oil or propane system — see the full breakdown in our Oil vs. Heat Pump comparison.