A hybrid or dual-fuel system allows homeowners to use a heat pump during warm and cool weather and a furnace during the coldest part of winter. By using each system for what it’s best at, you can optimize your comfort and save energy all year.

Let’s look at the way a heat pump functions and why it shouldn’t run all by itself when the weather’s extremely cold. A heat pump doesn’t actually generate heat. Instead, it transfers heat from one space to another. When it’s cool outside, there’s still a certain amount of warmth in the air. The heat pump collects it and moves it into your home.

You can probably see the problem. When the temperature drops to around freezing, there isn’t enough warmth outside for the heat pump to function well. Its electric coils can’t provide sufficient comfort and use more energy than they should.

A dual-fuel system solves this problem. When the temperature drops very low, a furnace takes over the job of providing home comfort. Furnaces are designed to produce heat, and recent models, especially those certified by Energy Star, can be very efficient at doing that. High-efficiency furnaces can convert 90 to 97 percent of the fuel they use into home warmth.

By combining two high-efficiency pieces of equipment, a dual-fuel system saves energy in all seasons, and you won’t have to give up any comfort. Dual-fuel systems provide:

• Energy savings.
• Greater home comfort.
• Better dehumidification during the summer than a standard A/C.
• Economical heating during the winter.
• More manageable heating and cooling costs year round.
• Decreased impact on the environment.

Advanced features may be available that can increase efficiency even further. Among these are variable-speed blower motors and dual-speed compressors. If you’re interested in a dual-fuel system, call New River Heating & Air. We’re proud to serve southwest Virginia, and we’ll be happy to help you maximize your comfort and savings.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about dual fuel systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

New River Heating and Air services the New River Valley area in Virginia. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!