The thought of installing both a furnace and heat pump might seem a bit unusual at first. After all, why would you need two heaters? While furnaces and heat pumps both offer energy-efficient heat, the differences in their design really make employing both of them a practical option. It’s not for all of us, but with the right conditions you will definitely benefit from owning a furnace and a heat pump.
You’ll want to consider several factors in order to confirm if this type of setup suits you. Your local climate and the dimensions of your home are both highly important, namely for the heat pump. This is because numerous models of heat pumps begin to work less effectively in winter weather and bigger homes. Even so, you can still reap the benefits of heat pump installation in Rock Hill.
Heat Pumps May Be Less Effective in Winter Weather
Heat pumps are generally less reliable in cold weather because of how they provide climate control to begin with. As opposed to furnaces, which combust fuel to create heat, a heat pump reverses its stream of refrigerant to extract heat from outdoor air. This heat is then brought inside and dispersed around your home. Provided there is still a little heat energy in the air, a heat pump can function. But the lower the temperature, the less efficient this process is.
The less heat energy is accessible outside, the longer it takes a heat pump to pull heat indoors to generate your desired temperature. It might depend on the specific make and model, but heat pumps can start to lose efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and below. They should still be an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, at which point a gas furnace should be more effective.
What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Work Best In?
Heat pumps work best in milder climates 40 degrees and up. That being said, you don’t have to sacrifice the benefits of a heat pump just because your local climate is cold. In fact, that’s why installing both a furnace and heat pump may be worth the costs. You can favor the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cool enough to call for swapping to something like a gas furnace.
A few makes and models feature greater performance in cold weather. For example, the Lennox MLA heat pump is capable of operating at 100% capacity at 0°F. It can even continue running in temperatures as cold as -22°F. For optimal energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to switch to the furnace in especially cold weather.
So Should I Install a Heat Pump If I Own a Gas Furnace?
If you’re interested in 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 benefits such as:
- A source of backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one fails, you still have the capability to heat your home. It might not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than living in an unheated home while you hold out for repairs
- Lower energy costs – The ability to decide which heating system you use depending on the highest energy efficiency reduces your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the lifetime of these heaters can really add up to a lot of savings
- Less strain on both systems – Instead of running one system all winter long, heating duties are split between the furnace and heat pump. Essential components will sometimes live longer as they’re not under constant use.
If you’re still not sure about heat pump installation in Rock Hill, don’t hesitate to contact your local professional technicians. They can review your home’s comfort needs and help you figure out if a dual-heating HVAC system is the best option.