The idea of installing both a furnace and heat pump can feel a little strange at first. After all, why would you need two sources of heat? Although furnaces and heat pumps both deliver energy-efficient heat, the variations in their design genuinely make using both of them a reasonable option. It’s not for everybody, but in the right conditions you could absolutely benefit from owning a furnace and a heat pump.

You’ll need to think about several factors in order to decide if this kind of setup suits you. Your local climate and the size of your home are both especially important, especially for the heat pump. This is because some models of heat pumps begin to run less efficiently in colder weather and bigger homes. At the same time, you can still benefit from heat pump installation in Holdrege.

Heat Pumps May Be Less Effective in Winter Weather

Heat pumps are generally less effective in colder weather due to how they generate climate control to start with. As opposed 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 brought inside and distributed around your home. Assuming there is still a bit of heat energy in the air, a heat pump can function. But the cooler the temperature, the less effective this process is.

The less heat energy is usable outside, the more time is needed for a heat pump to pull heat indoors to generate your preferred temperature. It can depend on the type of make and model, but heat pumps may start to lose out on efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and under. They should still be an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, at which point a gas furnace should be more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Run Best In?

Heat pumps function 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. After all, that’s why installing both a furnace and heat pump can be worth the costs. You can use the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cool enough to call for swapping to something like a gas furnace.

Certain makes and models tout greater performance 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 extreme as -22°F. For maximum 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 serious about maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system available, having a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time warrants the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system flexible, but it offers other benefits 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 living in an unheated home while you wait for repairs.
• Fewer energy costs – The ability to decide which heating system you use depending on the highest energy efficiency decreases your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the life span of these heaters can really add up to lots of savings.
• Less strain on both systems – Compared to running one system all winter long, heating duties are split between the furnace and heat pump. Crucial components will sometimes last longer as they’re not under constant use.

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