The thought of installing both a furnace and heat pump might sound a little unusual at first. After all, why do you need two heating systems? While furnaces and heat pumps both offer energy-efficient heat, the variations in their design actually make employing both of them a reasonable option. It’s not for everybody, but under the right conditions you can truly benefit from using a furnace and a heat pump.

You’ll want to consider several factors in order to decide if this kind of setup helps 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 function less effectively in colder weather and bigger homes. Even so, you can still reap the benefits of heat pump installation in Port Orchard.

Heat Pumps Might Be Less Efficient in Colder Weather

Heat pumps are typically less reliable in colder weather as a result of how they provide climate control to begin with. Compared to furnaces, which ignite fuel to generate heat, a heat pump reverses its supply of refrigerant to draw heat from outdoor air. This heat is then drawn inside and circulated all through your home. Provided there is still some heat energy in the air, a heat pump can function. But the cooler the temperature, the less effective this process is.

The less heat energy is available outside, the more time is needed for a heat pump to draw heat indoors to maintain your preferred temperature. It might depend on the type of make and model, but heat pumps may start to drop in efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and colder. They should still be an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, at which a gas furnace will be more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Perform Best In?

Heat pumps function best in moderate climates 40 degrees and up. That said, you don’t have to miss out on the benefits of a heat pump just because the local climate is cooler. As a matter of fact, that’s why having both a furnace and heat pump may be worth the costs. You can use the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cool enough to call for switching 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 swap to the furnace in especially cold weather.

So Should I Get 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 deserves the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system versatile, but it offers other benefits such as:

  • Reliable backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one fails, you still have the means to heat your home. It may not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than having an unheated home while you wait for repairs.
  • Lower energy costs – The ability to select which heating system you use according to the highest energy efficiency lowers your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the lifetime of these systems can really add up to plenty of savings.
  • Less strain on both systems – Instead of running one system all winter long, heating responsibilities are separated between the furnace and heat pump. Crucial hardware could survive longer as they’re not under constant use.

If you’re still unsure about heat pump installation in Port Orchard, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local certified technicians. They can evaluate your home’s comfort needs and help you decide if a dual-heating HVAC system is the ideal option.