The idea of using both a furnace and heat pump might feel a little odd at first. After all, why should you need two heaters? While furnaces and heat pumps both provide energy-efficient heat, the differences in their design genuinely make using both of them a viable option. It’s not for everybody, but under the right conditions you could absolutely benefit from having a furnace and a heat pump.

You should think about several factors in order to confirm if this type of setup helps you. Your local climate and the dimensions of your home are both very important, namely for the heat pump. This is because numerous models of heat pumps start to run less effectively in winter weather and large homes. Even so, you can still benefit from heat pump installation in Plover.

Heat Pumps May Be Less Reliable in Colder Weather

Heat pumps are commonly less effective in cold weather due to how they generate climate control to begin with. Compared to furnaces, which burn fuel to provide heat, a heat pump reverses its flow of refrigerant to extract heat from outdoor air. This heat is then brought inside and distributed throughout your home. Assuming there is still some heat energy in the air, a heat pump will function. But the cooler 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 reach your preferred temperature. It may depend on the specific make and model, but heat pumps can start to lose efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and below. They can still be an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, at which point a gas furnace is more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Run Best In?

Heat pumps work best in temperate climates 40 degrees and up. That said, you don’t have to give up on the benefits of a heat pump just because the local climate is cooler. In fact, that’s why installing both a furnace and heat pump can be worth the costs. You can keep the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cold enough to call for swapping to something like a gas furnace.

A few makes and models feature greater effectiveness in cold weather. For example, the Lennox MLA heat pump is capable of working at 100% capacity at 0°F. It can even remain efficient in temperatures as low 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 Own a Gas Furnace?

If you’re thinking about maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system available, installing a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time warrants the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system flexible, but it features other perks including:

  • A source of backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one breaks down, you still have the means to heat your home. It may not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than living in an unheated home while you hold out for repairs.
  • Reduced energy costs – The ability to pick which heating system you use depending on the highest energy efficiency lowers your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the lifetime of these systems can really add up to lots of savings.
  • Less strain on both systems – Rather than running one system all winter long, heating duties are divided between the furnace and heat pump. Essential components will sometimes survive longer since they’re not under nonstop use.

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