The idea of installing both a furnace and heat pump may sound a little unusual at first. After all, why would you need two heating systems? Although furnaces and heat pumps both deliver energy-efficient heat, the variations in their design genuinely make using both of them a potential option. It’s not for all of us, but in the right conditions you can definitely benefit from having a furnace and a heat pump.
You’ll want to think about several factors in order to confirm if this type of setup helps you. Your local climate and the size of your home are both especially important, namely for the heat pump. This is because some models of heat pumps begin to function less efficiently in cooler weather and larger homes. That being said, you can still reap the benefits of heat pump installation in Thedford.
Heat Pumps Might Be Less Reliable in Cold Weather
Heat pumps are typically less effective in cold weather because of how they create climate control to start with. As opposed to furnaces, which combust fuel to create heat, a heat pump reverses its flow of refrigerant to extract heat from outdoor air. This heat is then brought inside and distributed around your home. As long as there is still a little heat energy in the air, a heat pump will function. But the lower the temperature, the less efficient this process is.
The less heat energy is available outside, the longer it takes a heat pump to bring heat indoors to generate your ideal temperature. It can depend on the type of make and model, but heat pumps can start to lose efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and under. They still remain an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, at which point a gas furnace should be more effective.
What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Work Best In?
Heat pumps manage best in milder climates 40 degrees and up. That said, you don’t have to lose out on the benefits of a heat pump just because your local climate is colder. In fact, that’s why owning both a furnace and heat pump can be worth the costs. You can keep the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cold enough to call for swapping to something like a gas furnace.
Certain makes and models claim greater effectiveness in cooler weather. For example, the Lennox MLA heat pump is capable of working at 100% capacity at 0°F. It can even continue running in temperatures as cold as -22°F. For optimal energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to switch to the furnace in particularly cold weather.
So Should I Get a Heat Pump if I Own a Gas Furnace?
If you’re interested in maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system achievable, owning a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time warrants the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system flexible, but it offers other advantages such as:
- Reliable backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one fails, you still have the capability to heat your home. It may not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than shivering in an unheated home while you sit around for repairs.
- Fewer energy costs – The ability to decide which heating system you use according to the highest energy efficiency decreases your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the life of these heaters can really add up to lots of savings.
- Less strain on both systems – Compared to running one system all winter long, heating resources are separated between the furnace and heat pump. Key hardware will sometimes live longer as they’re not under nonstop use.
If you’re still hesitant about heat pump installation in Thedford, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local professional technicians. They can walk you through your home’s comfort needs and help you decide if a dual-heating HVAC system is the ideal option.