The concept of installing both a furnace and heat pump may sound somewhat odd at first. After all, why do you need two sources of heat? While furnaces and heat pumps both deliver energy-efficient heat, the variations in their design actually make installing both of them a reasonable option. It’s not for all of us, but with the right conditions you could truly benefit from having a furnace and a heat pump.

You’ll want to take a look at several factors in order to confirm if this type of setup suits you. Your local climate and the square footage of your home are both highly important, especially for the heat pump. This is because many models of heat pumps begin to function less efficiently in cooler weather and larger homes. At the same time, you can still take advantage of heat pump installation in Manassas.

Heat Pumps Might Be Less Effective in Winter Weather

Heat pumps are commonly less efficient in colder weather because of how they generate climate control in the first place. Compared to furnaces, which ignite fuel to create heat, a heat pump reverses its flow of refrigerant to draw heat from outdoor air. This heat is then drawn inside and dispersed all through your home. Provided there is still some heat energy in the air, a heat pump will function. But the cooler the temperature, the less reliable this process is.

The less heat energy is accessible outside, the longer it takes a heat pump to draw heat indoors to reach your preferred temperature. It can depend on the specific make and model, but heat pumps may start to lose out on efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and colder. They can still be an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, after which a gas furnace will be more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Work Best In?

Heat pumps work best in moderate climates 40 degrees and up. That said, you don’t have to miss out on the benefits of a heat pump just because the local climate is cooler. In fact, that’s why using both a furnace and heat pump may be worth the cost. You can favor the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cold enough to warrant switching to something like a gas furnace.

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

So Should I Put in a Heat Pump if I Have a Gas Furnace?

If you’re interested in maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system possible, owning a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time is worth the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system adaptable, but it features other advantages such as:

  • A source of backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one fails, you still have the ability to heat your home. It might not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than living in an unheated home while you wait for repairs.
  • Fewer energy costs – The ability to pick which heating system you use based on the highest energy efficiency decreases your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the lifetime of these systems can really add up to plenty of savings.
  • Less strain on both systems – Compared to running one system all winter long, heating responsibilities are separated between the furnace and heat pump. Key hardware will sometimes last longer as they’re not under constant use.

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