The concept of using both a furnace and heat pump may sound a bit strange at first. After all, why would you need two sources of heat? Although furnaces and heat pumps both produce energy-efficient heat, the changes in their design genuinely make employing both of them a reasonable option. It’s not for everyone, but under the right conditions you could absolutely benefit from using a furnace and a heat pump.

You’ll need to weigh several factors in order to confirm if this type of setup helps you. Your local climate and the size of your home are both very important, namely for the heat pump. This is because numerous models of heat pumps will run less efficiently in cooler weather and large homes. That being said, you can still benefit from heat pump installation in Tucson and Phoenix.

Heat Pumps May Be Less Efficient in Cold Weather

Heat pumps are typically less reliable in colder weather due to how they provide climate control in the first place. Unlike furnaces, which burn fuel to provide heat, a heat pump reverses its supply of refrigerant to pull heat from outdoor air. This heat is then drawn inside and circulated all through your home. Assuming there is still a bit of heat energy in the air, a heat pump will function. But the colder the temperature, the less efficient this process is.

The less heat energy is usable outside, the longer it takes a heat pump to bring heat indoors to reach your preferred temperature. It may depend on the type of make and model, but heat pumps generally start to drop in efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and below. 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 moderate climates 40 degrees and up. That said, you don’t have to sacrifice the benefits of a heat pump just because your local climate is colder. In fact, that’s why owning both a furnace and heat pump may be worth the costs. You can favor the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is cool enough to justify shifting to something like a gas furnace.

A few makes and models boast greater effectiveness in cooler weather. For example, the Lennox MLA heat pump is capable of operating 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 particularly cold weather.

So Should I Put in a Heat Pump if I Own a Gas Furnace?

If you’re interested in maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system available, having a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time is worth the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system versatile, but it offers other perks including:

  • Reliable backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one stops working, you still have the ability to heat your home. It might not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than having an unheated home while you wait for repairs.
  • Lower energy costs – The ability to decide which heating system you use depending on the highest energy efficiency decreases your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the life span 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. Essential hardware will sometimes live longer given that they’re not under constant use.

If you’re still not sure about heat pump installation in Tucson and Phoenix, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local professional technicians. They can evaluate your home’s comfort needs and help you figure out if a dual-heating HVAC system is the ideal option.