The thought of installing both a furnace and heat pump can feel a little odd at first. After all, why do you need two heaters? Although furnaces and heat pumps both produce energy-efficient heat, the variations in their design really make using both of them a practical option. It’s not for everyone, but with the right conditions you can absolutely benefit from owning a furnace and a heat pump.
You'll need to consider several factors in order to confirm if this kind of setup suits you. Your local climate and the dimensions of your home are both very important, especially for the heat pump. This is because numerous models of heat pumps will work less effectively in colder weather and larger homes. At the same time, you can still reap the benefits of heat pump installation in Heflin.
Heat Pumps Might Be Less Efficient in Cold Weather
Heat pumps are typically less efficient in colder weather because of how they provide climate control to begin with. Compared to furnaces, which combust fuel to provide heat, a heat pump reverses its stream of refrigerant to draw heat from outdoor air. This heat is then drawn inside and distributed around your home. Assuming there is still some heat energy in the air, a heat pump can function. But the lower the temperature, the less effective this process is.
The less heat energy is available outside, the more effort is required for a heat pump to bring heat indoors to generate your preferred temperature. It may depend on the type of make and model, but heat pumps generally start to lose out on efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and under. They should still be an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, at which point a gas furnace will be more effective.
What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Run Best In?
Heat pumps function best in moderate climates 40 degrees and up. That being said, you don’t have to sacrifice the benefits of a heat pump just because the local climate is cold. After all, that’s why owning both a furnace and heat pump might be worth the cost. You can keep the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cool enough to call for swapping to something like a gas furnace.
A few makes and models feature 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 low as -22°F. For optimum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to swap to the furnace in especially cold weather.
So Should I Get a Heat Pump If I Use a Gas Furnace?
If you’re interested in maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system achievable, having a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time is worth the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system adaptable, but it provides other advantages like:
- Dependable backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one fails, you still have the means to heat your home. It might not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than shivering in an unheated home while you wait for repairs
- Reduced energy costs – The ability to decide which heating system you use according to the highest energy efficiency lowers your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the life span of these systems can really add up to lots of savings
- Less strain on both systems – Instead of running one system all winter long, heating responsibilities are split between the furnace and heat pump. Essential components will sometimes live longer given that they’re not under nonstop use.
If you’re still uncertain about heat pump installation in Heflin, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local certified technicians. They can evaluate your home’s comfort needs and help you decide if a dual-heating HVAC system is the ideal option.