The concept of running both a furnace and heat pump might feel a bit unusual at first. After all, why would you need two sources of heat? While furnaces and heat pumps both offer energy-efficient heat, the variations in their design genuinely make installing both of them a potential option. It’s not for everyone, but under the right conditions you can absolutely benefit from using a furnace and a heat pump.

You’ll need to take a look at several factors in order to confirm 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 multiple models of heat pumps start to function less efficiently in cooler weather and larger homes. At the same time, you can still benefit from heat pump installation in Yukon.

Heat Pumps May Be Less Reliable in Cold Weather

Heat pumps are generally less efficient in cold weather because of how they create climate control to start with. Compared to furnaces, which combust fuel to provide heat, a heat pump reverses its stream of refrigerant to extract heat from outdoor air. This heat is then brought inside and distributed all through your home. As long as there is still a little heat energy in the air, a heat pump can function. But the colder the temperature, the less effective this process is.

The less heat energy is available outside, the more effort is required for a heat pump to draw heat indoors to reach your preferred temperature. It might depend on the type of make and model, but heat pumps generally 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 a gas furnace should be more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Run Best In?

Heat pumps work best in milder climates 40 degrees and up. That said, you don’t have to miss out on the benefits of a heat pump just because the local climate is colder. As a matter of fact, that’s why having both a furnace and heat pump may be worth the expense. You can keep the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cold enough to call for shifting to something like a gas furnace.

Some makes and models feature 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 continue running in temperatures as cold as -22°F. For optimum energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to switch to the furnace in particularly 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 possible, installing a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time warrants the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system versatile, but it features other advantages like:

  • Reliable backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one stops working, you still have the capability 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.
  • Lower energy costs – The ability to choose which heating system you use according to the highest energy efficiency decreases your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the lifetime 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 duties are divided between the furnace and heat pump. Crucial parts can live longer since they’re not under continuous use.

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