Installed cost, side by side
| System | Typical installed range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Central AC + gas furnace | $9,000-$15,000+ | The Houston default; furnace often outlives the AC |
| Heat pump (single system, heats + cools) | $8,000-$16,000+ | One outdoor unit does both jobs; premium variable-speed tiers at the top |
| Dual-fuel (heat pump + gas backup) | $12,000-$18,000+ | Heat pump for mild days, furnace for freeze events - the belt-and-suspenders option |
Where each one wins in our climate
- Heat pump wins: homes without gas service, mild-winter operating cost, single-system simplicity, and utility incentive programs that favor high-HSPF2 equipment.
- Gas furnace wins: recovery speed during hard freezes (2021-style events), homes with cheap gas service already plumbed, and homeowners who prioritize blast-furnace heat feel.
- Dual-fuel wins: homeowners who want heat-pump economics 95 percent of the winter with gas backup for the freeze weeks - at the highest up-front cost.
The honest answer depends on your gas situation, your electric rate, and how your home held up in the last freeze. We quote both paths with real numbers - no steering.
Before you decide, two pages worth a minute: Wisetack financing - soft-pull prequalification, no activation fee , and Free 2nd opinion on any quote you already have .