The thought of installing both a furnace and heat pump may feel a bit strange at first. After all, why would you need two sources of heat? Even though furnaces and heat pumps both provide energy-efficient heat, the differences in their design actually make installing both of them a practical option. It’s not for everyone, but under the right conditions you will absolutely benefit from owning a furnace and a heat pump.
You should consider several factors in order to confirm if this kind of setup suits you. Your local climate and the size of your home are both very important, particularly for the heat pump. This is because multiple models of heat pumps begin to work less effectively in cooler weather and bigger homes. At the same time, you can still reap the benefits of heat pump installation in Moline.
Heat Pumps Might Be Less Reliable in Colder Weather
Heat pumps are typically less reliable in cooler weather due to how they provide climate control in the first place. As opposed to furnaces, which ignite fuel to generate heat, a heat pump reverses its stream of refrigerant to extract heat from outdoor air. This heat is then brought inside and dispersed around your home. Provided there is still a little heat energy in the air, a heat pump should function. But the colder the temperature, the less effective this process is.
The less heat energy is usable outside, the longer it takes 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 can start to lose out on efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and below. They should 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 Run Best In?
Heat pumps manage best in moderate climates 40 degrees and up. Having said that, 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 may be worth the costs. You can use the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is chilly enough to justify shifting to something like a gas furnace.
Certain makes and models feature greater effectiveness in cooler 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 cold as -22°F. For optimal energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to switch 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 achievable, owning a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time is worth the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system adaptable, but it features other advantages like:
- Dependable backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one stops working, 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 sit around for repairs
- Lower energy costs – The ability to choose which heating system you use according to the highest energy efficiency lowers your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the life span of these heaters can really add up to a lot of savings
- Less strain on both systems – Rather than running one system all winter long, heating duties are split between the furnace and heat pump. Key components may live longer since they’re not under continuous use.
If you’re still not sure about heat pump installation in Moline, don’t hesitate to contact your local professional 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.