Efficiently heat and cool your home with this hybrid system
A hybrid heat pump is a dual-fuel heating system, using a gas furnace and an electric heat pump.
This type of heat pump is more energy efficient than other varieties of heat pumps.
Hybrid heat pump systems cost between $2,500 and $10,000.
Are you searching for a new, energy-efficient way to heat your home? A hybrid heat pump may be the system you need to keep warm on those cold winter nights.
This dual-fuel heating system utilizes a gas furnace with an electric heat pump to provide the most efficient way to heat your house. But what is a hybrid heat pump exactly, and how does it work? Learn how this system works, its pros and cons, and when to hire a heat pump installer.
A hybrid heat pump is a cooling and heating system that combines an electric heat pump with a traditional furnace that uses gas or propane as a fuel source. This type of heat pump automatically switches between using gas and electricity to heat your home, depending on which is the most efficient source for the current temperature.
The heat pump extracts air from the outside and warms it before transferring it indoors. When temperatures drop below freezing, the heat pump turns off, and the gas furnace kicks in to quickly and efficiently heat the residence. The heat pump can also provide electric cooling and uses a refrigeration cycle similar to a standard air conditioner.
The main difference between a standard and a hybrid heat pump is that a hybrid system has a secondary heat source, such as a gas furnace. The furnace can be fueled by natural gas or propane.
This feature allows the system to switch between the electric heat pump and the gas furnace to increase efficiency. Hybrid heat pumps are designed to provide optimal heating power and be as energy-efficient as possible.
Now that you know about hybrid heat pumps, you should know the pros and cons of this type of system to help you decide if it’s the right one for your home.
Let’s jump into the pros of this hybrid system.
Energy-Efficient: It’s no surprise that the biggest benefit of a hybrid heat pump is its ability to reduce overall energy consumption. That’s because it can switch to whichever fuel source is the most energy-efficient for the current conditions.
Provides consistent temperatures: This system can reduce cold and hot spots within rooms by maintaining consistent warmth throughout the entire home.
More sustainable: Since the system switches between electricity and gas and relies on renewable energy, it can reduce carbon emissions.
Here are the downsides to consider when deciding if a hybrid heat pump is suitable for your home
Higher installation cost: Installing a hybrid heat pump system is more costly than other types of heating systems. This system requires a heat pump and a furnace, doubling the installation labor and materials costs.
More maintenance: Since this system has two heat sources, it is twice as much work to maintain. You’ll spend more on annual inspections, maintenance, and repairs.
Adding a heat pump to an existing furnace ranges between $2,500 and $6,000, while a complete system can run between $4,500 to $10,000 or more. Contact a heat pump installation company near you to provide an accurate quote for a hybrid heating system placement based on your specific requirements.
Like any type of heating system, the price of a hybrid heat pump depends on several factors, such as your location, the brand, and labor costs. Another cost factor is if you are adding a hybrid heat pump to an existing furnace or installing an entire new system.
The lifespan of a heat pump depends on several factors, such as whether it was properly installed, amount of usage, and if it is properly maintained. However, since a hybrid heat pump shares the workload with a furnace, it can last up to 20 years or more if it’s well-maintained.
Heat pumps work best in temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but they can still operate in lower temperatures. However, some models can struggle to heat the home effectively when temperatures drop below freezing. That’s why a hybrid heat pump is best for those who live in colder climates. The gas furnace will take over when temperatures are too cold for the heat pump to keep up.
If you live in an area of the country that experiences hot summers and freezing winters, you can recover the cost of installing a hybrid heat pump system in your home in as little as five years. In places where the temperature rarely gets below freezing, you likely won’t see enough savings to justify installing a whole hybrid system, but you will experience more benefits from a stand-alone heat pump installation.
