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

You’ll need to take a look at several factors in order to decide if this sort of setup helps you. Your local climate and the size of your home are both very important, especially for the heat pump. This is because numerous models of heat pumps begin to work less efficiently in colder weather and larger homes. That being said, you can still take advantage of heat pump installation in Longview.

Heat Pumps Might Be Less Effective in Colder Weather

Heat pumps are typically less effective in colder weather because of how they create climate control in the first place. Unlike furnaces, which combust fuel to create heat, a heat pump reverses its supply of refrigerant to extract heat from outdoor air. This heat is then brought inside and circulated throughout your home. Provided there is still some heat energy in the air, a heat pump should function. But the lower the temperature, the less effective this process is.

The less heat energy is available outside, the longer it takes a heat pump to bring heat indoors to reach your desired temperature. It can depend on the type of make and model, but heat pumps may start to drop in efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and under. They still remain an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, after which a gas furnace is more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Work Best In?

Heat pumps manage best in milder 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 cold. As a matter of fact, that’s why owning both a furnace and heat pump may be worth the cost. You can favor the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cool enough to warrant swapping to something like a gas furnace.

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

So Should I Put in a Heat Pump if I Own a Gas Furnace?

If you’re interested in maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system possible, installing a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time warrants the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system flexible, but it offers other benefits including:

• A source of backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one fails, you still have the means to heat your home. It might not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than having an unheated home while you wait for repairs.
• Fewer energy costs – The ability to choose which heating system you use depending 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 – Instead of running one system all winter long, heating resources are split between the furnace and heat pump. Key components can live longer as they’re not under continuous use.

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