The thought of using both a furnace and heat pump may feel a little odd at first. After all, why should you need two heaters? While furnaces and heat pumps both offer energy-efficient heat, the variations in their design actually make installing both of them a potential option. It’s not for everyone, but with the right conditions you could absolutely benefit from owning a furnace and a heat pump.

You’ll need to consider several factors in order to confirm if this sort of setup suits you. Your local climate and the square footage of your home are both very important, particularly for the heat pump. This is because multiple models of heat pumps begin to function less efficiently in colder weather and large homes. At the same time, you can still reap the benefits of heat pump installation in Alice.

Heat Pumps Might Be Less Reliable in Winter Weather

Heat pumps are generally less reliable in cooler weather as a result of how they create climate control to start with. Compared to furnaces, which combust fuel to create heat, a heat pump reverses its supply of refrigerant to pull heat from outdoor air. This heat is then pulled inside and distributed around your home. Provided there is still a little heat energy in the air, a heat pump can function. But the colder the temperature, the less reliable this process is.

The less heat energy is accessible outside, the more effort is required for a heat pump to draw heat indoors to generate your desired temperature. It may depend on the specific make and model, but heat pumps can start to drop in efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and under. They can still be 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 function best in temperate climates 40 degrees and up. Having said that, you don’t have to sacrifice 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 might be worth the expense. You can favor 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 feature greater performance 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 low as -22°F. For maximum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to use the furnace in particularly 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 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 perks like:

• Dependable 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 having an unheated home while you hold out for repairs.
• Fewer energy costs – The ability to select which heating system you use based on the highest energy efficiency lowers your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the life of these heaters can really add up to plenty 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 can survive longer since they’re not under continuous use.

If you’re still unsure about heat pump installation in Alice, don’t hesitate to get in touch with 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 right option.