The concept of installing both a furnace and heat pump may sound somewhat unusual at first. After all, why would you need two heating systems? While furnaces and heat pumps both provide energy-efficient heat, the changes in their design genuinely make using both of them a potential option. It’s not for all of us, but with the right conditions you could truly benefit from using a furnace and a heat pump.

You’ll need to think about several factors in order to confirm if this kind of setup works for you. Your local climate and the dimensions of your home are both very important, namely for the heat pump. This is because some models of heat pumps begin to work less efficiently in cooler weather and bigger homes. At the same time, you can still benefit from heat pump installation in Brookfield.

Heat Pumps Can Be Less Efficient in Winter Weather

Heat pumps are typically less effective in colder weather due to how they generate climate control to start with. Compared to furnaces, which combust fuel to create heat, a heat pump reverses its stream of refrigerant to extract heat from outdoor air. This heat is then drawn inside and circulated throughout your home. As long as there is still some heat energy in the air, a heat pump can function. But the lower the temperature, the less effective this process is.

The less heat energy is accessible outside, the more effort is required for a heat pump to bring heat indoors to maintain your preferred temperature. It might depend on the type of make and model, but heat pumps may start to lose efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and colder. They still remain 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 manage best in temperate climates 40 degrees and up. That said, you don’t have to sacrifice the benefits of a heat pump just because the local climate is cold. As a matter of fact, that’s why using both a furnace and heat pump can be worth the cost. You can favor the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cold enough to justify switching to something like a gas furnace.

Certain makes and models feature greater performance in winter 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 optimal energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to use the furnace in especially cold weather.

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

If you’re serious about maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system available, installing a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time deserves the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system flexible, but it provides other benefits like:

  • A source of backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one breaks down, you still have the capability 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 hold out for repairs.
  • Lower energy costs – The ability to pick which heating system you use according to the highest energy efficiency reduces your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the life span of these systems can really add up to a lot of savings.
  • Less strain on both systems – Instead of running one system all winter long, heating duties are divided between the furnace and heat pump. Key hardware may live longer since they’re not under nonstop use.

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