The idea of installing both a furnace and heat pump might seem somewhat unusual at first. After all, why do you need two heaters? Even though furnaces and heat pumps both provide energy-efficient heat, the variations in their design genuinely make employing both of them a worthwhile option. It’s not for all of us, but under the right conditions you will definitely benefit from owning a furnace and a heat pump.

You should weigh several factors in order to determine if this sort of setup suits you. Your local climate and the size of your home are both very important, namely for the heat pump. This is because some models of heat pumps will run less effectively in winter weather and bigger homes. At the same time, you can still take advantage of heat pump installation in Heflin.

Heat Pumps May Be Less Efficient in Cold Weather

Heat pumps are generally less effective in colder weather because of how they generate climate control to begin with. Unlike furnaces, which burn 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 around your home. As long as there is still a bit of heat energy in the air, a heat pump should function. But the lower 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 bring heat indoors to maintain your ideal temperature. It can depend on the type of make and model, but heat pumps generally start to lose out on efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and colder. They should still be an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, after which a gas furnace will be more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Work Best In?

Heat pumps manage best in temperate climates 40 degrees and up. That being said, you don’t have to give up on the benefits of a heat pump just because the local climate is cooler. After all, that’s why using both a furnace and heat pump may be worth the cost. You can favor the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cool enough to justify shifting to something like a gas furnace.

A few makes and models claim greater effectiveness in cold weather. For example, the Lennox MLA heat pump is capable of operating at 100% capacity at 0°F. It can even remain efficient in temperatures as extreme as -22°F. For optimum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to switch to the furnace in severely cold weather.

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

If you’re serious about maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system available, having a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time warrants the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system flexible, but it features other advantages including:

• A source of backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one breaks down, you still have the ability 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.
• Fewer energy costs – The ability to pick which heating system you use depending on the highest energy efficiency lowers your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the lifetime of these systems can really add up to a lot 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. Essential parts could live longer given that they’re not under constant use.

If you’re still not sure about heat pump installation in Heflin, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local professional technicians. They can review your home’s comfort needs and help you figure out if a dual-heating HVAC system is the best option.