The concept of installing both a furnace and heat pump may seem a bit strange at first. After all, why do you need two sources of heat? Even though furnaces and heat pumps both deliver energy-efficient heat, the variations in their design actually make employing both of them a viable option. It’s not for everyone, but in the right conditions you can truly benefit from having a furnace and a heat pump.

You’ll want to consider several factors in order to determine if this sort of setup helps you. Your local climate and the size of your home are both highly important, particularly for the heat pump. This is because multiple models of heat pumps begin to function less effectively in cooler weather and bigger homes. Even so, you can still take advantage of heat pump installation in Middletown.

Heat Pumps Might Be Less Effective in Colder Weather

Heat pumps are typically less efficient in colder weather as a result of how they provide climate control in the first place. Compared to furnaces, which ignite fuel to provide heat, a heat pump reverses its stream of refrigerant to pull heat from outdoor air. This heat is then brought inside and distributed around your home. Assuming there is still a bit of heat energy in the air, a heat pump should function. But the cooler the temperature, the less efficient this process is.

The less heat energy is available outside, the more effort is required for a heat pump to draw heat indoors to reach your ideal temperature. It can depend on the exact make and model, but heat pumps generally 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 is more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Run 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 your local climate is cooler. In fact, that’s why installing both a furnace and heat pump might be worth the expense. You can favor the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is chilly enough to call for shifting to something like a gas furnace.

Some makes and models boast greater effectiveness in cooler weather. For example, the Lennox MLA heat pump is capable of working at 100% capacity at 0°F. It can even remain functional in temperatures as cold as -22°F. For optimum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to swap to the furnace in particularly cold weather.

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

If you’re interested in maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system possible, 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:

• Reliable backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one fails, you still have the capability to heat your home. It might not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than living in an unheated home while you hold out for repairs.
• Lower energy costs – The ability to choose which heating system you use based on 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 – Rather than running one system all winter long, heating resources are split between the furnace and heat pump. Crucial hardware can live longer as they’re not under continuous use.

If you’re still not sure about heat pump installation in Middletown, 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 best option.