The thought of installing both a furnace and heat pump might feel somewhat strange at first. After all, why do you need two heating systems? While furnaces and heat pumps both provide energy-efficient heat, the variations in their design actually make employing both of them a reasonable option. It’s not for everybody, but under the right conditions you can absolutely benefit from owning a furnace and a heat pump.

You’ll want to consider several factors in order to determine if this sort of setup helps you. Your local climate and the square footage of your home are both highly important, particularly for the heat pump. This is because numerous models of heat pumps will work less efficiently in cooler weather and large homes. At the same time, you can still take advantage of heat pump installation in Mason City.

Heat Pumps Can Be Less Reliable in Winter Weather

Heat pumps are commonly less efficient in cooler weather as a result of how they provide climate control to start with. Unlike furnaces, which combust fuel to provide heat, a heat pump reverses its flow of refrigerant to extract heat from outdoor air. This heat is then drawn inside and distributed throughout your home. Assuming there is still a bit of heat energy in the air, a heat pump can function. But the colder the temperature, the less efficient this process is.

The less heat energy is accessible outside, the longer it takes a heat pump to draw heat indoors to maintain your desired temperature. It can depend on the specific make and model, but heat pumps generally start to lose out on efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and colder. They still remain an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, after which a gas furnace is more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Run Best In?

Heat pumps manage 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 cold. As a matter of fact, that’s why having both a furnace and heat pump might be worth the cost. You can use the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cool enough to call for shifting to something like a gas furnace.

Certain makes and models boast greater performance in cold 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 cold 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 serious about maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system possible, installing 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 perks like:

  • Dependable backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one stops working, you still have the capability to heat your home. It might not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than having an unheated home while you sit around for repairs.
  • Lower 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 life span of these systems can really add up to plenty of savings.
  • Less strain on both systems – Compared to running one system all winter long, heating responsibilities are divided between the furnace and heat pump. Key components can live longer since they’re not under nonstop use.

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