A dual-fuel heat pump is an electric heat pump and a gas, oil or propane furnace combined together in one system. In the Pacific NW, where annual temperatures average in the 50’s, a duel fuel system is absolutely the most efficient way to heat your home. When temperatures drop below 35 degrees the heat pump automatically switches to your gas, oil or propane furnace (called auxiliary heat) for better efficiency and comfort. By combining the two, you can have the benefits of both systems.
Because there are advantages and disadvantages (depending on the outdoor temperature) to running just a heat pump or a furnace by itself, the dual-fuel solution gives you the best of both worlds. It’s the most comfortable heating system at any outdoor temperature, as well as one of the most efficient, versatile, and economical heating-and-cooling systems you can purchase.
Here is a brief description of the differences between the Single Stage, Two Stage, and Modulating Variable Speed heat pump options that we offer:
- The traditional style option is called a single stage heat pump. It is the standard, basic system operation. Every time the thermostat calls for heating or cooling, the compressor turns on at 100% capacity, and gives you everything it has got to heat or cool the house as quickly as possible. It is always trying to keep up with the demand and is on/off all day.
- The next system is called a 2-stage system. This heat pump has 2 fan compressor speeds. When the thermostat calls for heating or cooling, the unit ramps itself up to the first stage, which is about 70% of its capacity. The system runs at that speed, and the outdoor compressor runs at that capacity as well. If the heat pump does not match the thermostat’s call in the first 10 minutes or so, then the unit will ramp itself up to the next stage, which is 100% capacity. This heat pump saves money on your energy bill by running at the lower speed when you only need a little heating or cooling, and not wasting energy by running at 100% capacity all day, every day.
- Finally, there is the Platinum Modulating Variable Speed Inverter style heat pump system. This unit is the most efficient, top of the line, quietest heat pump on the market. This unit runs for long periods of time throughout the day, but it runs at really low capacities, saving you the most money on your energy bills! The heat pump ranges itself anywhere from 35% to 100%, in 1% increments. It will never give you more than you need and will keep the temperature in the house nice and even, helping eliminate cold spots and temperature spikes throughout the day. The Single Stage & Two Stage systems can heat down to about 30-35 degrees F (outdoor temperature) before the heat pump turns off and the heating system switches over to the gas furnace. The Variable Speed system can give you 100% heating capacity down to 5 degrees F (outdoor temperature), helping you save energy by not relying on the backup gas furnace nearly as often!
With local utility rebates, now is an incredible time to put cash back in your pocket by upgrading your current heating system to a high efficiency duel fuel system. Call or email us for a free in-home consultation and start saving money on your home heating and cooling costs today!
