The concept of installing both a furnace and heat pump might seem a bit unusual at first. After all, why would you need two heating systems? Even though furnaces and heat pumps both deliver energy-efficient heat, the changes in their design genuinely make using both of them a practical option. It’s not for everyone, but in the right conditions you could definitely benefit from owning a furnace and a heat pump.

You’ll want to consider several factors in order to determine if this sort of setup works for you. Your local climate and the size of your home are both highly important, particularly for the heat pump. This is because many models of heat pumps start to run less efficiently in winter weather and bigger homes. Even so, you can still benefit from heat pump installation in Hudsonville.

Heat Pumps Might Be Less Reliable in Cold Weather

Heat pumps are generally less effective in colder weather due to how they create climate control to begin with. As opposed to furnaces, which burn fuel to create heat, a heat pump reverses its supply of refrigerant to extract heat from outdoor air. This heat is then pulled inside and distributed around your home. As long as there is still a bit of heat energy in the air, a heat pump will function. But the colder the temperature, the less efficient this process is.

The less heat energy is available outside, the more effort is required for a heat pump to draw heat indoors to reach your desired temperature. It may depend on the exact 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, after which a gas furnace should be more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Work Best In?

Heat pumps function best in temperate climates 40 degrees and up. That being said, you don’t have to sacrifice the benefits of a heat pump just because the local climate is cold. After all, 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 swapping to something like a gas furnace.

A few makes and models tout greater effectiveness 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 use the furnace in particularly 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, installing a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time deserves the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system adaptable, but it provides other advantages including:

• A source of 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 depending on the highest energy efficiency reduces 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 – Rather than running one system all winter long, heating duties are divided between the furnace and heat pump. Key components may live longer given that they’re not under constant use.

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