Do I Need a Furnace with a Heat Pump? It Depends.

The idea of using both a furnace and heat pump can seem a bit odd at first. After all, why do you need two heaters? Even though furnaces and heat pumps both deliver energy-efficient heat, the variations in their design genuinely make employing both of them a potential option. It’s not for all of us, but under the right conditions you can definitely benefit from having a furnace and a heat pump.

You should take a look at several factors in order to confirm if this sort of setup suits you. Your local climate and the size of your home are both especially important, particularly for the heat pump. This is because many models of heat pumps will run less efficiently in winter weather and bigger homes. That being said, you can still reap the benefits of heat pump installation in Palm Coast.

Heat Pumps Can Be Less Efficient in Cold Weather

Heat pumps are typically less efficient in colder weather due to how they create climate control to start with. As opposed to furnaces, which combust fuel to provide heat, a heat pump reverses its stream of refrigerant to extract heat from outdoor air. This heat is then pulled inside and distributed throughout your home. Assuming there is still some heat energy in the air, a heat pump will function. But the lower the temperature, the less reliable this process is.

The less heat energy is usable outside, the more effort is required for a heat pump to bring heat indoors to maintain your preferred temperature. It can depend on the exact make and model, but heat pumps may start to lose efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and colder. 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 Perform Best In?

Heat pumps work best in milder 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 colder. After all, that’s why having both a furnace and heat pump can be worth the cost. You can favor the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is chilly enough to call for swapping to something like a gas furnace.

Certain makes and models claim greater performance in winter weather. For example, the Lennox MLA heat pump is capable of running at 100% capacity at 0°F. It can even remain efficient in temperatures as low as -22°F. For maximum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to use the furnace in especially cold weather.

So Should I Get a Heat Pump if I Use a Gas Furnace?

If you’re serious 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 provides other perks including:

• 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 sit around for repairs.
• Fewer energy costs – The ability to decide which heating system you use according to the highest energy efficiency reduces your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the lifetime of these heating 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 separated between the furnace and heat pump. Crucial hardware will sometimes survive longer given that they’re not under constant use.

If you’re still not sure about heat pump installation in Palm Coast, don’t hesitate to contact your local expert technicians. They can evaluate your home’s comfort needs and help you figure out if a dual-heating HVAC system is the best option.