The thought of running both a furnace and heat pump might sound somewhat unusual at first. After all, why would you need two heating systems? Even though furnaces and heat pumps both offer energy-efficient heat, the changes in their design genuinely make employing both of them a practical option. It’s not for everybody, but in the right conditions you will definitely benefit from having a furnace and a heat pump.
You’ll want to take a look at several factors in order to decide if this kind of setup suits you. Your local climate and the square footage of your home are both highly important, especially for the heat pump. This is because some models of heat pumps begin to run less efficiently in cooler weather and bigger homes. At the same time, you can still benefit from heat pump installation in Eastland.
Heat Pumps May Be Less Effective in Colder Weather
Heat pumps are typically less efficient in cooler weather as a result of how they generate climate control to begin with. Unlike furnaces, which burn fuel to generate heat, a heat pump reverses its stream of refrigerant to draw heat from outdoor air. This heat is then drawn inside and circulated around your home. As long as there is still a bit of heat energy in the air, a heat pump should function. But the cooler the temperature, the less efficient this process is.
The less heat energy is accessible outside, the longer it takes a heat pump to pull heat indoors to reach your ideal temperature. It might depend on the specific make and model, but heat pumps may start to lose efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and colder. 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 temperate climates 40 degrees and up. That said, you don’t have to give up on the benefits of a heat pump just because the local climate is cooler. In fact, that’s why using both a furnace and heat pump may be worth the costs. You can favor the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cool enough to call for shifting to something like a gas furnace.
A few makes and models feature greater efficiency in cold weather. For example, the Lennox MLA heat pump is capable of running at 100% capacity at 0°F. It can even remain efficient in temperatures as low as -22°F. For maximum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to swap to the furnace in especially cold weather.
So Should I Put In a Heat Pump If I Own a Gas Furnace?
If you’re thinking about maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system available, having a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time is worth the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system versatile, but it offers other perks including:
- A source of backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one breaks down, you still have the capability to heat your home. It might not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than having an unheated home while you hold out for repairs
- Lower energy costs – The ability to pick which heating system you use depending on the highest energy efficiency reduces your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the lifetime of these heating systems can really add up to lots of savings
- Less strain on both systems – Compared to running one system all winter long, heating resources are divided between the furnace and heat pump. Crucial parts may survive longer as they’re not under nonstop use.
If you’re still not sure about heat pump installation in Eastland, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local expert technicians. They can review your home’s comfort needs and help you decide if a dual-heating HVAC system is the better option.