The thought of running both a furnace and heat pump can feel somewhat strange at first. After all, why would you need two heaters? Even though furnaces and heat pumps both offer energy-efficient heat, the variations in their design really make using both of them a worthwhile option. It’s not for everyone, but in the right conditions you could truly benefit from owning a furnace and a heat pump.

You’ll need to think about several factors in order to confirm if this kind of setup helps you. Your local climate and the square footage of your home are both especially important, particularly for the heat pump. This is because many models of heat pumps start to run less efficiently in cooler weather and large homes. At the same time, you can still benefit from heat pump installation in Thousand Palms.

Heat Pumps Can Be Less Efficient in Winter Weather

Heat pumps are commonly less effective in cold weather because of how they provide climate control in the first place. Compared to furnaces, which combust fuel to generate heat, a heat pump reverses its supply of refrigerant to draw heat from outdoor air. This heat is then pulled inside and dispersed all through your home. As long as there is still some 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 accessible outside, the longer it takes a heat pump to bring heat indoors to generate your preferred temperature. It might depend on the exact make and model, but heat pumps generally 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 a gas furnace should be more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Perform 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 the local climate is colder. As a matter of fact, 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 chilly enough to call for switching to something like a gas furnace.

A few makes and models boast greater efficiency in cooler weather. For example, the Lennox MLA heat pump is capable of working at 100% capacity at 0°F. It can even continue running in temperatures as cold as -22°F. For optimum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to swap to the furnace in severely cold weather.

So Should I Install 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 warrants the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system flexible, but it features other advantages like:

  • Dependable backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one stops working, you still have the ability to heat your home. It won’t always be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than shivering in an unheated home while you sit around for repairs.
  • Lower energy costs – The ability to pick which heating system you use depending on the highest energy efficiency lowers your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the life span of these heaters can really add up to a lot of savings.
  • Less strain on both systems – Rather than running one system all winter long, heating responsibilities are divided between the furnace and heat pump. Key parts may live longer given that they’re not under constant use.

If you’re still unsure about heat pump installation in Thousand Palms, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local expert technicians. They can review your home’s comfort needs and help you determine if a dual-heating HVAC system is the right option.