Going Green With A Hybrid Heat Pump System

When shopping for a new heating and air conditioning system, consider the Hybrid heating and cooling system, also termed 'Dual Fuel'. A Hybrid system consists of a highly efficient (95%) natural gas furnace combined with a highly efficient heat pump. A heat pump is like an air conditioning system. It removes heat from the inside of the house and blows it outside using R410a refrigerant as a means to transfer the heat. Same as an air conditioner, right?
Now, when it comes time to heat your home, the heat pump will turn on and collect heat from the outside air, then transfer it to the inside furnace and coil unit where the blower will push the heat into the house through your existing vents. The heat pump operates on electricity, a renewable energy source. A heat pump is used to heat your home when the outdoor temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature drops below 40 degrees, the heat pump automatically turns off and the highly efficient gas furnace will turn on. This results in the maximum fuel and energy savings!  Before you purchase an air conditioner, check into a heat pump and save both on cooling and heating costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the heat pump shut off at 40 degrees? - We calculate a balance point which is the point at which your home is loosing more heat than what the Heat Pump can produce . At that point, to keep your home warm, the system shuts off the Heat Pump and resorts to the High efficient gas furnace. 40 degrees is an average temperature when the heat pump shuts off, your home may be slightly higher or lower.

How does the heat pump remove heat when it's so cold outside? - There is always heat in our atmosphere. Just think, if it's 50 degrees outside, there must be heat in the air or it would be colder. If it's 20 degrees, without heat, it could be 0 degrees. And if it's 0 degrees, it could be even colder. So as you can see, there is always heat.

Is a heat pump more efficient than a gas furnace? - A high efficient Heat Pump with a SEER rating of 19 or higher will produce more heat per dollar than a highly efficient gas furnace (at current utility rates). The warmer the outside temperature, the more efficient the heat pump becomes. On the flip side, the colder the outdoor temperature, the less efficient it becomes. This is one of two reasons why the system will revert back to the gas furnace. One, to produce enough heat, Second, to utilize the most efficient source of heat depending on the outdoor temperature.

Can I use the heat pump as an air conditioner? - Yes, the heat pump is an air conditioner. The major difference is a component called a 'reversing valve'. This valve is designed to divert the refrigerant in the area where it needs to disperse the heat first. In air conditioning mode, the refrigerant leaves the compressor and heat is emitted to the outside, removing heat from the house. In heating mode, the refrigerant leaves the compressor and the heat is distributed inside your home.

If I'm removing an existing system and installing a heat pump, what should I expect on my gas and power bill? - You will definitely notice a drop in your gas bill, you will also notice a slight increase in your power bill. The most important factor is the decrease in your gas bill will be considerably more than the increase in your power bill. Saving you money on total operating costs, plus you're helping the environment.