The thought of running both a furnace and heat pump may seem somewhat odd at first. After all, why should you need two heating systems? While furnaces and heat pumps both produce energy-efficient heat, the differences in their design genuinely make employing both of them a potential option. It’s not for everybody, but in the right conditions you can truly benefit from having a furnace and a heat pump.

You’ll want to think about several factors in order to determine if this sort of setup works for you. Your local climate and the dimensions of your home are both especially important, namely for the heat pump. This is because multiple models of heat pumps start to work less efficiently in winter weather and larger homes. That being said, you can still take advantage of heat pump installation in Chadron.

Heat Pumps May Be Less Effective in Cold Weather

Heat pumps are typically less efficient in cooler weather because of how they create climate control to begin with. Unlike furnaces, which burn fuel to create heat, a heat pump reverses its flow of refrigerant to draw heat from outdoor air. This heat is then brought inside and circulated throughout your home. As long as there is still a bit of heat energy in the air, a heat pump should function. But the lower the temperature, the less efficient this process is.

The less heat energy is accessible outside, the more effort is required for a heat pump to draw heat indoors to maintain your ideal temperature. It may depend on the type of make and model, but heat pumps can start to lose efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and under. They still remain an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, at which a gas furnace should be more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Run Best In?

Heat pumps manage best in temperate climates 40 degrees and up. That being said, you don’t have to miss out on the benefits of a heat pump just because the local climate is cold. After all, that’s why installing both a furnace and heat pump may be worth the expense. You can favor the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cold enough to call for switching to something like a gas furnace.

Certain makes and models claim greater efficiency in cooler weather. For example, the Lennox MLA heat pump is capable of operating at 100% capacity at 0°F. It can even remain functional in temperatures as extreme as -22°F. For optimum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to use the furnace in especially cold weather.

So Should I Get a Heat Pump if I Have 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 versatile, but it provides other perks like:

  • Dependable backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one stops working, you still have the ability to heat your home. It might not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than shivering in an unheated home while you wait for repairs.
  • Lower energy costs – The ability to decide which heating system you use according to the highest energy efficiency lowers your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the lifetime of these heating systems can really add up to a lot of savings.
  • Less strain on both systems – Instead of running one system all winter long, heating responsibilities are split between the furnace and heat pump. Essential hardware will sometimes survive longer as they’re not under constant use.

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