The thought of installing both a furnace and heat pump might feel a bit unusual at first. After all, why do you need two heating systems? While furnaces and heat pumps both provide energy-efficient heat, the differences in their design really make employing both of them a reasonable option. It’s not for all of us, but under the right conditions you could absolutely benefit from owning a furnace and a heat pump.
You’ll want to weigh several factors in order to decide if this type of setup suits you. Your local climate and the square footage of your home are both highly important, namely for the heat pump. This is because numerous models of heat pumps will function less efficiently in winter weather and larger homes. That being said, you can still take advantage of heat pump installation in Muldrow.
Heat Pumps Can Be Less Effective in Winter Weather
Heat pumps are generally less effective in cold weather as a result of how they create climate control to start with. Compared to furnaces, which combust fuel to generate heat, a heat pump reverses its supply of refrigerant to pull heat from outdoor air. This heat is then pulled inside and circulated all through your home. As long as there is still a bit of heat energy in the air, a heat pump can function. But the colder the temperature, the less reliable this process is.
The less heat energy is accessible 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 can start to lose efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and below. They still remain an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, at which point a gas furnace should be more effective.
What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Run Best In?
Heat pumps function best in milder climates 40 degrees and up. That said, you don’t have to give up on the benefits of a heat pump just because the local climate is cooler. After all, that’s why owning both a furnace and heat pump can be worth the expense. You can keep the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cold enough to warrant swapping to something like a gas furnace.
Certain makes and models boast greater effectiveness in winter 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 extreme as -22°F. For optimal energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to swap to the furnace in especially cold weather.
So Should I Put In a Heat Pump If I Own a Gas Furnace?
If you’re thinking about maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system possible, having a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time is worth the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system adaptable, but it offers other benefits including:
- Dependable backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one breaks down, 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 hold out for repairs
- Lower energy costs – The ability to choose which heating system you use according to the highest energy efficiency decreases your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the life span of these heating systems can really add up to a lot of savings
- Less strain on both systems – Rather than running one system all winter long, heating resources are split between the furnace and heat pump. Key hardware will sometimes survive longer since they’re not under nonstop use.
If you’re still hesitant about heat pump installation in Muldrow, 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 right option.