When you’re in the process of selecting a new HVAC system, consider hybrid heat dual fuel systems. These systems combine the energy efficiency of a heat pump with the dependability of a furnace that uses combustible fuel when temperatures plummet. Hybrid systems widen your options during our heating season and can lower your energy bills.  

Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, but when temperatures fall into the 30s or lower, they lose some of their ability to create heat. Heat pumps have a supplemental heating coil that turns on when the system can’t create enough heat to keep your home at the temperature you want. The heat pump can produce up to three times the heat from one watt of electricity, but the supplemental coil only produces one watt per watt of power it uses.

This reduces the heating efficiency substantially when the weather is cold. However, hybrid heat dual fuel systems overcome this limitation by switching to the furnace when the heat pump loses effectiveness. The thermostats associated with these systems have set points that govern which system heats your home. The HSPF (heating season performance factor) makes a difference. Heat pumps with a higher HSPF rating can continue to heat your home longer than those with the current minimum of 7.5.

The winters in the Asheville region are mild enough to take advantage of the heating efficiency of heat pumps. The daytime temperature averages are usually warm enough to use the heat pump, and you’ll only have to use the furnace at night and during exceptionally cold weather.

Another benefit is the ability to choose which system you use, based on fuel prices. If fuel goes up, you could use the heat pump exclusively. If electric rates increase substantially, you can have an HVAC professional change the set point so that the furnace runs exclusively.

To learn more about hybrid heat dual fuel systems, contact Smoky Mountain Heating & Air. We provide HVAC services for the greater Asheville area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Asheville, North Carolina and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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