The thought of running both a furnace and heat pump can feel a bit odd at first. After all, why do you need two heaters? Even though furnaces and heat pumps both deliver energy-efficient heat, the changes in their design really make using both of them a viable option. It’s not for all of us, but under the right conditions you could definitely benefit from having a furnace and a heat pump.
You’ll want to weigh several factors in order to decide if this sort of setup suits you. Your local climate and the square footage of your home are both highly important, namely for the heat pump. This is because multiple models of heat pumps start to work less effectively in colder weather and larger homes. At the same time, you can still reap the benefits of heat pump installation in Rapid City.
Heat Pumps May Be Less Effective in Winter Weather
Heat pumps are commonly less reliable in cold weather because of how they provide climate control in the first place. Unlike furnaces, which combust fuel to create heat, a heat pump reverses its supply of refrigerant to extract heat from outdoor air. This heat is then brought inside and dispersed around your home. As long as there is still a little 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 usable outside, the more effort is required for a heat pump to pull heat indoors to reach your preferred 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 colder. They still remain an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, after which a gas furnace will be more effective.
What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Run Best In?
Heat pumps function best in moderate 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 cooler. As a matter of fact, that’s why installing both a furnace and heat pump may be worth the cost. You can use the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is chilly enough to call for swapping to something like a gas furnace.
A few makes and models boast greater effectiveness in winter weather. For example, the Lennox MLA heat pump is capable of working at 100% capacity at 0°F. It can even remain functional in temperatures as extreme as -22°F. For maximum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to use the furnace in severely cold weather.
So Should I Put in a Heat Pump if I Use a Gas Furnace?
If you’re thinking about maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system achievable, owning a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time deserves the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system flexible, but it offers other benefits like:
- Reliable backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one stops working, you still have the means 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.
- Fewer energy costs – The ability to choose which heating system you use depending on the highest energy efficiency decreases your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the life of these heating systems can really add up to lots of savings.
- Less strain on both systems – Compared to running one system all winter long, heating resources are separated between the furnace and heat pump. Key hardware may survive longer as they’re not under continuous use.
If you’re still uncertain about heat pump installation in Rapid City, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local certified technicians. They can walk you through your home’s comfort needs and help you determine if a dual-heating HVAC system is the better option.
