The concept of installing both a furnace and heat pump can feel a little odd at first. After all, why do you need two sources of heat? Although furnaces and heat pumps both provide energy-efficient heat, the variations in their design actually make installing both of them a reasonable option. It’s not for everyone, but with the right conditions you will absolutely benefit from owning 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 helps you. Your local climate and the dimensions of your home are both especially important, especially for the heat pump. This is because many models of heat pumps begin to run less effectively in cooler weather and larger homes. At the same time, you can still reap the benefits of heat pump installation in Litchfield Park.
Heat Pumps Might Be Less Effective in Cold Weather
Heat pumps are commonly less effective in cooler 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 draw heat from outdoor air. This heat is then drawn inside and distributed all through your home. Assuming there is still a bit of heat energy in the air, a heat pump can function. But the colder 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 can depend on the type of make and model, but heat pumps may start to lose out on efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and colder. They can still be 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 function best in milder climates 40 degrees and up. That being said, you don’t have to give up on the benefits of a heat pump just because your local climate is cold. After all, that’s why using both a furnace and heat pump might be worth the cost. You can favor the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cold enough to justify switching to something like a gas furnace.
Some makes and models tout 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 extreme as -22°F. For maximum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to use the furnace in particularly cold weather.
So Should I Put In a Heat Pump If I Have a Gas Furnace?
If you’re interested in maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system possible, owning a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time deserves the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system versatile, 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 may not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than having an unheated home while you wait for repairs
- Reduced energy costs – The ability to choose which heating system you use depending on the highest energy efficiency lowers your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the lifetime of these heaters can really add up to plenty of savings
- Less strain on both systems – Rather than running one system all winter long, heating duties are separated between the furnace and heat pump. Essential components will sometimes survive longer since they’re not under continuous use.
If you’re still not sure about heat pump installation in Litchfield Park, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local expert technicians. They can walk you through your home’s comfort needs and help you figure out if a dual-heating HVAC system is the better option.