The concept of using both a furnace and heat pump can sound a little odd at first. After all, why do you need two sources of heat? While furnaces and heat pumps both offer energy-efficient heat, the changes in their design genuinely make employing both of them a reasonable option. It’s not for everybody, but with the right conditions you will truly benefit from having a furnace and a heat pump.

You should think about several factors in order to determine 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 multiple models of heat pumps will function less effectively in colder weather and larger homes. At the same time, you can still take advantage of heat pump installation in Highlands Ranch.

Heat Pumps Can Be Less Reliable in Winter Weather

Heat pumps are generally less reliable in cold weather because of how they generate climate control to begin with. As opposed to furnaces, which ignite fuel to provide heat, a heat pump reverses its flow of refrigerant to extract heat from outdoor air. This heat is then brought inside and dispersed all through your home. Provided there is still a bit of heat energy in the air, a heat pump will function. But the cooler the temperature, the less effective this process is.

The less heat energy is accessible outside, the longer it takes a heat pump to draw heat indoors to maintain your ideal temperature. It might depend on the exact make and model, but heat pumps may start to lose 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 will be more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Work Best In?

Heat pumps function best in moderate climates 40 degrees and up. Having said that, you don’t have to give up on the benefits of a heat pump just because the local climate is cooler. As a matter of fact, that’s why owning both a furnace and heat pump may be worth the costs. You can keep the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is chilly enough to justify switching to something like a gas furnace.

Certain makes and models tout 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 functional in temperatures as cold as -22°F. For maximum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to switch to the furnace in especially cold weather.

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

If you’re thinking about maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system possible, owning a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time deserves the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system adaptable, but it features other perks such as:

  • Reliable backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one breaks down, you still have the means to heat your home. It won’t always be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than living in an unheated home while you sit around for repairs.
  • Reduced energy costs – The ability to choose 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 a lot of savings.
  • Less strain on both systems – Compared to running one system all winter long, heating responsibilities are split between the furnace and heat pump. Essential hardware will sometimes survive longer given that they’re not under constant use.

If you’re still hesitant about heat pump installation in Highlands Ranch, 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 best option.