As the summer heat gives way to the crisp, cool days of fall, many homeowners start to think about their heating needs for the upcoming winter. It’s a great time to assess your current HVAC system and consider whether it’s time for an upgrade.
One option that has been gaining popularity is the heat pump. We’re professional heat pump installers in Plattsburgh, NY, so we often get questions about whether a heat pump is a good choice to replace a standard HVAC system—namely, a separate air conditioner and furnace. We’ll explore why a heat pump might be the right choice for your home and why it’s essential to consult with HVAC professionals before making any decisions.
Dual fuel systems are heating systems that use two different energy sources for heating: electricity and natural gas (or, in a home with no access to natural gas, propane). The standard operation for a dual fuel system is a combination of an electrical heat pump with a gas furnace as a back-up. The electrical power of the heat pump provides warmth for a home in temperatures of 40°F or higher, and the gas-powered furnace takes over when the temperature drops lower.
If you’re asking this question, this is probably the first winter you’ve spent with a heat pump providing comfort for your home. You made a change in spring or winter to your HVAC system and replaced it with a heat pump. This is a great choice—heat pumps are able to deliver excellent cooling in hot weather and energy efficient heating in winter. Thanks to advances in heat pump technology, heat pumps operate in cold temperatures better than ever before.
