Why Switching To Electric Heating is a Win in Seattle
Heat Pump vs. Oil Furnace: Why Heat Pumps Win in Seattle
1. How They Work
Oil Furnace:
Burns oil to create heat.
The burning process creates exhaust, which sends some of your heat and energy out the chimney.
Needs regular oil deliveries and maintenance.
Heat Pump:
Uses electricity to move heat, not create it by burning fuel.
Works like a reversible air conditioner: it pulls heat from the outside air and moves it indoors in winter, then does the opposite in summer.
No fuel tanks, no oil smell, no soot.
2. Efficiency Difference — It’s Huge
An oil furnace is typically 75–85% efficient. That means for every dollar of oil you burn, 15–25 cents are wasted as heat going up the flue.
A heat pump can be 300–400% efficient, delivering 3–4 units of heat for every unit of electricity it uses.
That’s like trading in a car that gets 10 miles per gallon for one that gets 40 MPG — you’re still driving, but using way less fuel.
3. Lower Monthly Costs
Oil prices swing wildly, and in Seattle they’re often more expensive per BTU than electricity.
Because a heat pump uses far less energy overall, your monthly heating bills drop — sometimes by 30–60% compared to oil heat.
Plus, you don’t have to pay for oil deliveries, tank maintenance, or filter replacements.
4. Year-Round Comfort
An oil furnace only heats.
A heat pump heats and cools — so you’re getting air conditioning in the summer without a separate system.
That’s a big comfort upgrade for Seattle homes that traditionally don’t have AC.
5. Cleaner and Healthier
No combustion = no risk of carbon monoxide leaks.
No oil tanks = no spills, fumes, or environmental hazards.
Runs on Seattle’s clean hydropower, meaning nearly zero carbon emissions from your home.
Switching to a heat pump is one of the easiest ways to cut your home’s carbon footprint while staying comfortable.
6. Incentives & Future-Proofing
Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy, and federal programs offer rebates and tax credits for heat pump installations because they’re so efficient and climate-friendly.
Oil heating is being phased out in many regions — parts of Washington even offer cash incentives to decommission oil tanks.
So upgrading now not only saves you money — it also future-proofs your home.
Do you need help exploring new heating products? Sign up for a free home assessment at:
