The idea of using both a furnace and heat pump may feel a little odd at first. After all, why do you need two heating systems? Although furnaces and heat pumps both produce energy-efficient heat, the changes in their design genuinely make using both of them a potential option. It’s not for everyone, but under the right conditions you will definitely benefit from having a furnace and a heat pump.
You’ll want to take a look at several factors in order to determine if this kind of setup suits you. Your local climate and the square footage of your home are both especially important, namely for the heat pump. This is because numerous models of heat pumps will run less effectively in winter weather and larger homes. Even so, you can still benefit from heat pump installation in Newark.
Heat Pumps Might Be Less Reliable in Colder Weather
Heat pumps are commonly less effective in cold weather because of how they provide climate control to start with. Compared to furnaces, which ignite fuel to generate heat, a heat pump reverses its supply of refrigerant to extract heat from outdoor air. This heat is then brought inside and dispersed all through your home. As long as there is still some heat energy in the air, a heat pump can function. But the lower the temperature, the less reliable this process is.
The less heat energy is available outside, the longer it takes a heat pump to pull heat indoors to reach your ideal temperature. It may depend on the type of make and model, but heat pumps may start to lose efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and below. They still remain 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 work best in temperate climates 40 degrees and up. That being said, you don’t have to miss out on the benefits of a heat pump just because the local climate is colder. In fact, that’s why installing both a furnace and heat pump may be worth the costs. You can keep the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is chilly enough to warrant swapping to something like a gas furnace.
A few 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 continue running in temperatures as extreme as -22°F. For maximum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to switch to the furnace in especially cold weather.
So Should I Install a Heat Pump If I Use a Gas Furnace?
If you’re thinking about maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system possible, installing a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time is worth the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system versatile, but it offers other benefits like:
- Reliable backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one breaks down, you still have the ability to heat your home. It may not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than shivering in an unheated home while you wait for repairs
- Lower energy costs – The ability to decide which heating system you use depending on the highest energy efficiency decreases 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 – Compared to running one system all winter long, heating resources are divided between the furnace and heat pump. Key hardware may survive longer as they’re not under nonstop use.
If you’re still hesitant about heat pump installation in Newark, don’t hesitate to contact your local certified technicians. They can evaluate your home’s comfort needs and help you determine if a dual-heating HVAC system is the ideal option.