In our last post, we talked about how a heat pump is able to both heat and cool one’s home. It’s an amazing technology that offers homeowners using its many benefits. However, there are certain concerns surrounding the use of a heat pump in very cold conditions that may make some homeowners hesitant to do so.
Whether or not these concerns are really founded is a bit tricky, as we’ll touch on later. It is true that a heat pump can face challenges when temperatures really drop, though, which is why using a hybrid heating system in Denver, CO may be your best bet.
It actually combines two systems in order to give you the beast heating experience possible. Consider the following, and be sure to let us know if you think that hybrid heating is right for your home.
How Does It Work?
A hybrid heating system combines both a heat pump and a gas furnace into one incredible heating system. During the winter, the heat pump is going to do most of the heavy lifting. By evaporating refrigerant in the outdoor coil, it will draw heat out of the air outside and will use that heat in order to warm your home. The result in incredibly efficient heating, thanks to the fact that heat transfer requires much, much less energy than the generation of new heat.
Now, a common concern with heat pumps is that, because they use existing heat from the air outside, they won’t be sufficient when temperatures drop below a certain point. The truth of the matter, however, is that heat pump technology today really is reliable even in extremely cold temperatures. The problem isn’t really whether or not the heat pump can provide heating in such conditions, but rather if it will do so in an efficient manner.
This is where the hybrid heating system really sets itself apart. When the heat pump drops off in efficiency due to the cold weather outside, the system will automatically fire up the gas furnace to handle the job until the heat pump can do so efficiently once more. There’s just a point at which the gas furnace will actually be the more efficient option, though this won’t be regularly. Once the heat pump is able to handle the job with its trademark efficiency once more, the system will switch back over to using it.
Now, if you aren’t sure about investing in a system that is essentially two different heaters, keep in mind the fact that the heat pump operates as an air conditioner, as well. It may be two systems, but it also gives you year round comfort. That’s not different than investing in a furnace and a central AC, with the exception of the fact that you’ll get greater efficiency this way.
To learn more or to schedule professional dual fuel system services, contact the professionals here at Cooper Heating & Cooling, Inc.
