The thought of installing both a furnace and heat pump can sound somewhat strange at first. After all, why would you need two heaters? While furnaces and heat pumps both produce energy-efficient heat, the changes in their design actually make using 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 should weigh several factors in order to decide if this sort of setup works for you. Your local climate and the dimensions of your home are both very important, particularly for the heat pump. This is because some models of heat pumps start to work less effectively in colder weather and large homes. Even so, you can still benefit from heat pump installation in Northridge.

Heat Pumps May Be Less Effective in Winter Weather

Heat pumps are commonly less effective in colder weather due to how they generate climate control to start with. Compared to furnaces, which burn fuel to provide heat, a heat pump reverses its stream of refrigerant to pull heat from outdoor air. This heat is then brought inside and distributed around your home. Provided there is still some heat energy in the air, a heat pump can function. But the colder 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 reach your desired temperature. It may depend on the type of make and model, but heat pumps generally start to drop in efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and under. They can still be an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, at which a gas furnace is more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Work Best In?

Heat pumps work best in milder climates 40 degrees and up. Having said that, you don’t have to give up on the benefits of a heat pump just because your local climate is cold. In fact, that’s why using both a furnace and heat pump can be worth the cost. You can keep the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is chilly enough to justify shifting to something like a gas furnace.

Some makes and models boast greater effectiveness in cold weather. For example, the Lennox MLA heat pump is capable of running at 100% capacity at 0°F. It can even remain efficient in temperatures as extreme as -22°F. For maximum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to swap to the furnace in especially cold weather.

So Should I Get a Heat Pump if I Have a Gas Furnace?

If you’re interested in maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system available, 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 features other advantages including:

• A source of backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one fails, you still have the ability to heat your home. It may not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than having an unheated home while you sit around 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 lifetime of these heating systems can really add up to plenty 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. Crucial components can survive longer given that they’re not under constant use.

If you’re still uncertain about heat pump installation in Northridge, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local certified technicians. They can review your home’s comfort needs and help you figure out if a dual-heating HVAC system is the ideal option.