The thought of installing both a furnace and heat pump can seem a little odd at first. After all, why do you need two sources of heat? Even though furnaces and heat pumps both produce energy-efficient heat, the differences in their design actually make employing both of them a practical option. It’s not for everyone, but under the right conditions you can truly benefit from using a furnace and a heat pump.

You’ll need to weigh several factors in order to decide if this type 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 many models of heat pumps start to function less efficiently in colder weather and large homes. At the same time, you can still take advantage of heat pump installation in Phoenix.

Heat Pumps May Be Less Reliable in Winter Weather

Heat pumps are generally less reliable in colder weather due to how they provide climate control to begin with. Compared to furnaces, which ignite fuel to create heat, a heat pump reverses its flow of refrigerant to pull heat from outdoor air. This heat is then brought inside and dispersed all through your home. Provided there is still some heat energy in the air, a heat pump will 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 generate your preferred temperature. It can depend on the exact make and model, but heat pumps generally start to lose efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and under. They can still be an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, at which point a gas furnace will be more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Run Best In?

Heat pumps work best in moderate climates 40 degrees and up. That being said, you don’t have to lose out on the benefits of a heat pump just because your local climate is colder. After all, that’s why owning both a furnace and heat pump can be worth the expense. You can use 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 boast greater effectiveness in cold weather. For example, the Lennox MLA heat pump is capable of running at 100% capacity at 0°F. It can even remain functional in temperatures as extreme as -22°F. For optimal energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to swap to the furnace in particularly cold weather.

So Should I Get a Heat Pump if I Have a Gas Furnace?

If you’re interested in maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system available, 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 perks including:

  • A source of backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one fails, 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 hold out for repairs.
  • Lower energy costs – The ability to pick which heating system you use based on the highest energy efficiency reduces your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the lifetime of these heaters can really add up to lots of savings.
  • Less strain on both systems – Rather than running one system all winter long, heating resources are split between the furnace and heat pump. Key hardware may last longer given that they’re not under constant use.

If you’re still hesitant about heat pump installation in Phoenix, don’t hesitate to contact your local professional technicians. They can review your home’s comfort needs and help you decide if a dual-heating HVAC system is the better option.