The idea of running both a furnace and heat pump may sound somewhat strange at first. After all, why do you need two sources of heat? Even though furnaces and heat pumps both provide energy-efficient heat, the differences in their design genuinely make employing both of them a worthwhile option. It’s not for everybody, but in the right conditions you will truly benefit from using a furnace and a heat pump.

You’ll need to weigh several factors in order to determine if this sort of setup works for you. Your local climate and the size of your home are both highly important, especially for the heat pump. This is because many models of heat pumps start to work less effectively in colder weather and bigger homes. Even so, you can still benefit from heat pump installation in Wyandotte.

Heat Pumps Might Be Less Efficient in Winter Weather

Heat pumps are commonly less reliable in cooler weather due to how they generate climate control to begin with. As opposed to furnaces, which ignite fuel to provide heat, a heat pump reverses its flow of refrigerant to extract heat from outdoor air. This heat is then pulled inside and dispersed around your home. As long as there is still a bit of heat energy in the air, a heat pump can function. But the colder the temperature, the less efficient this process is.

The less heat energy is available outside, the more time is needed for a heat pump to bring heat indoors to maintain your preferred temperature. It can depend on the specific make and model, but heat pumps generally start to lose efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and under. They still remain an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, after which a gas furnace will be more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Perform Best In?

Heat pumps manage best in milder climates 40 degrees and up. Having said that, you don’t have to sacrifice the benefits of a heat pump just because your local climate is cooler. As a matter of fact, that’s why owning both a furnace and heat pump might be worth the expense. You can favor the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is chilly enough to call for swapping to something like a gas furnace.

Some makes and models tout greater performance in cold weather. For example, the Lennox MLA heat pump is capable of running at 100% capacity at 0°F. It can even continue running in temperatures as extreme as -22°F. For optimum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to use the furnace in severely cold weather.

So Should I Install a Heat Pump if I Use a Gas Furnace?

If you’re thinking about maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system available, owning a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time warrants the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system adaptable, but it provides other benefits such as:

• A source of backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one stops working, you still have the ability to heat your home. It won’t always be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than having an unheated home while you hold out for repairs.
• Reduced energy costs – The ability to decide which heating system you use depending on the highest energy efficiency decreases your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the lifetime of these heating systems can really add up to plenty of savings.
• Less strain on both systems – Rather than running one system all winter long, heating resources are split between the furnace and heat pump. Crucial parts can live longer as they’re not under continuous use.

If you’re still not sure about heat pump installation in Wyandotte, don’t hesitate to contact your local certified technicians. They can review your home’s comfort needs and help you determine if a dual-heating HVAC system is the best option.