With this year’s record-breaking winter weather, heating and cooling companies are seeing an increase in requests for dual fuel heat pump systems. What is a dual fuel heat pump, and could it solve your winter woes? Read-on to discover more about this increasingly popular home comfort solution…

What is a Dual Fuel Heat Pump?

A dual fuel heat pump is simply a system that combines a heat pump with a gas/oil furnace or boiler into a single, multi-functional system. These systems take advantage of the efficiency of both heat pumps and furnaces/boilers, providing optimal comfort and amazing energy savings.

How Does A Dual Fuel Heat Pump Work?

Dual fuel systems are highly efficient, making them among the best heating and cooling units you can buy. These multi-tasking systems are capable of generating both air conditioning and heat, switching between heat pump and furnace/boiler operation as needed to offer homeowners the best of both worlds.

Why Combine these Technologies?

When temperatures remain above 35-degrees F, heat pumps work to transfer heat, moving it into the home in the winter and out in the summer. Highly-efficient, at these temperatures heat pumps can transfer 300% more energy than they consume, offering higher efficiency levels than the 95% AFUE/efficiency ratings of newer furnace models in moderate weather. However, when winter temperatures plummet below freezing, there is little to no heat in the air for heat pumps to take advantage of, reducing heat pump performance and efficiency, and leaving solo heat pump systems to rely on the costly use of electric heat strips to reach comfortable temperatures. This is where a hybrid dual fuel heat pump system shines, kicking over to oil/gas furnace or boiler operation and using shared HVAC components to provide a more effective, cost and fuel-efficient form of winter heat.

Dual-Fuel Drawbacks

Though dual fuel systems offer many benefits, there are a few drawbacks. For those replacing a single system, there may be additional costs in upgrading to a dual fuel model. Upgrading your electrical service and wiring upgrades may be necessary to accommodate a heat pump, as could running gas lines to accommodate a furnace/boiler. Bottom line: These systems typically cost more to purchase and install than a single heat pump or furnace system alone but cost far less to operate over the long run, and this investment should be carefully considered.

Ensure the Best Heating & Air Conditioning Solution for Your Home

In the market for a new heating unit for your house? H&H Heating & Cooling offers a carefully chosen selection of home comfort solutions from trusted brands like Bryant, Lennox, Trane, and Rheem. Contact us to learn more about our 100% money-back ‘no lemon’ guarantee and A+ BBB-rated services, uncovering if a dual fuel system might be a good fit for your home and budget. Schedule an in-home consultation for a complimentary competitive quote from our EPA-certified home comfort team today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/what-is-a-dual-fuel-heat-pump/