The concept of running both a furnace and heat pump might seem a little unusual at first. After all, why should you need two sources of heat? While furnaces and heat pumps both produce energy-efficient heat, the changes in their design really make installing both of them a potential option. It’s not for everyone, but under the right conditions you can definitely benefit from owning a furnace and a heat pump.
You should take a look at several factors in order to decide if this sort of setup helps you. Your local climate and the square footage of your home are both especially important, particularly for the heat pump. This is because some models of heat pumps will function less effectively in colder weather and bigger homes. That being said, you can still take advantage of heat pump installation in Winnipeg.
Heat Pumps Can Be Less Reliable in Cold Weather
Heat pumps are typically less reliable in cooler weather because of how they create climate control to begin with. As opposed to furnaces, which burn fuel to generate heat, a heat pump reverses its stream of refrigerant to extract heat from outdoor air. This heat is then pulled inside and circulated all through your home. Assuming there is still a little heat energy in the air, a heat pump will function. But the colder the temperature, the less effective this process is.
The less heat energy is accessible outside, the longer it takes a heat pump to draw heat indoors to maintain your preferred temperature. It may depend on the specific make and model, but heat pumps can start to lose out on efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and under. They still remain an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, at which point a gas furnace will be more effective.
What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Work Best In?
Heat pumps work best in temperate climates 40 degrees and up. That being said, you don’t have to give up on the benefits of a heat pump just because your local climate is cold. As a matter of fact, that’s why installing both a furnace and heat pump may be worth the costs. You can favor the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cold enough to call for shifting to something like a gas furnace.
A few makes and models claim greater effectiveness in winter 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 low as -22°F. For optimum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to use 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 achievable, installing a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time deserves the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system versatile, but it offers other benefits including:
- Dependable backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one stops working, you still have the means to heat your home. It might not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than having an unheated home while you wait for repairs
- Reduced energy costs – The ability to pick which heating system you use depending on the highest energy efficiency reduces your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the life span 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 responsibilities are split between the furnace and heat pump. Crucial parts will sometimes live longer since they’re not under nonstop use.
If you’re still uncertain about heat pump installation in Winnipeg, don’t hesitate to contact your local certified technicians. They can review your home’s comfort needs and help you decide if a dual-heating HVAC system is the ideal option.