The concept of using both a furnace and heat pump might feel somewhat strange at first. After all, why would you need two sources of heat? Even though furnaces and heat pumps both produce energy-efficient heat, the changes in their design really make employing both of them a reasonable option. It’s not for everybody, but under the right conditions you can truly benefit from using a furnace and a heat pump.
You should take a look at several factors in order to confirm if this kind of setup suits you. Your local climate and the dimensions of your home are both especially important, namely for the heat pump. This is because multiple models of heat pumps start to run less effectively in cooler weather and larger homes. That being said, you can still benefit from heat pump installation in Branchville.
Heat Pumps May Be Less Effective in Winter Weather
Heat pumps are typically less efficient in colder weather because of how they generate climate control to begin with. As opposed to furnaces, which ignite fuel to create heat, a heat pump reverses its stream of refrigerant to draw heat from outdoor air. This heat is then pulled inside and circulated all through your home. Provided there is still some heat energy in the air, a heat pump will function. But the cooler the temperature, the less effective this process is.
The less heat energy is accessible outside, the more effort is required for a heat pump to draw heat indoors to generate your preferred temperature. It might depend on the type of make and model, but heat pumps generally start to lose efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and colder. They should still be an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, at which a gas furnace is more effective.
What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Perform Best In?
Heat pumps work best in moderate climates 40 degrees and up. That said, you don’t have to sacrifice the benefits of a heat pump just because the local climate is cold. In fact, that’s why using 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 warrant switching to something like a gas furnace.
Certain makes and models tout greater performance in cooler 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 maximum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to use the furnace in especially cold weather.
So Should I Install a Heat Pump If I Have a Gas Furnace?
If you’re interested in maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system possible, installing a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time deserves the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system flexible, but it provides other perks like:
- A source of backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one fails, you still have the capability to heat your home. It might not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than living in an unheated home while you wait for repairs
- Lower 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 lifetime of these heating systems can really add up to a lot of savings
- Less strain on both systems – Instead of running one system all winter long, heating resources are divided between the furnace and heat pump. Key components can live longer as they’re not under nonstop use.
If you’re still unsure about heat pump installation in Branchville, don’t hesitate to contact your local professional technicians. They can evaluate your home’s comfort needs and help you figure out if a dual-heating HVAC system is the better option.