What Is a Dual-Fuel System?
When you invest in a dual-fuel system, you can face winter in the Midwest confidently, knowing you have extra heating power in your Des Moines, IA, Kansas City, MO, Omaha, NE, Springfield, MO, or Wichita, KS home.
A dual-fuel system combines heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. It consists of an electric heat pump and a gas furnace. They both heat your home, working alternately to maximize energy efficiency.
The heat pump is the primary heating unit, and the furnace is a supplemental heat system. When the heat pump begins to work harder and less efficiently as the outdoor temperature drops, it switches off, and the furnace kicks on.
As the outdoor temperature rises, heating operations switch to the heat pump. That, in a nutshell, is how a dual-fuel system works.
Let Midwest Air Pros guide your search for a dual-fuel system. We can be an invaluable resource in finding the best HVAC team in the Midwest. We work with HVAC dealers in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. You can choose a local dealer by clicking our Find A Pro link.
Why Maintain Two Heating Systems?
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says this dual system can be more economical than using either unit alone for home heating. However, the heat pump certainly pulls its weight in this unique heating duo.
According to ENERGY STAR®, heat pumps can deliver up to three times more heat energy than the electrical energy they consume. By comparison, the best gas furnaces are 95 to 98 percent energy efficient.
Homeowners typically buy two HVAC units, one for cooling and the other for heating. In a dual-fuel system, two units heat your home, and the heat pump also doubles as an air conditioner. Heat pumps are versatile equipment that operate in heating or cooling modes.
Pairing Heat Systems
If your existing equipment is newer and in good condition, you do not have to buy two heating units to create a dual-fuel system. You can maintain your newer gas furnace and add a heat pump.
The perfect time to add a heat pump is when your air conditioning unit is approaching the end of its useful service life, losing energy efficiency, and requiring more frequent repairs. Rather than buy a new air conditioning system, install a heat pump that will provide heating and cooling.
ENERGY STAR recommends replacing heat pumps and air conditioners at approximately 10 years of service. A well-maintained gas furnace can last 20 years or more, but as it approaches 15 years, it may be time to consider replacement.
Find help through the Midwest Air Pros network to assess your heating and cooling equipment. One of our trusted network members can determine if replacement is the best solution for your home. A pro can recommend the heating and cooling components required for a dual-fuel heating system.
Dual-Fuel Offers Comfort
Gas furnaces produce much hotter air than heat pumps but can contribute to dry air in your home. Dry air can lead to dry skin, chapped lips, nosebleeds, and even respiratory conditions.
Running a heat pump as part of a dual-fuel system helps to prevent dry indoor air. When in cooling mode, a heat pump also can remove moisture from the air, helping to maintain a 30 to 50 percent humidity level recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Add a Heat Pump Today
Create a dual-fuel system with a heat pump and gas furnace in your Des Moines, IA, Kansas City, MO, Omaha, NE, Springfield, MO, or Wichita, KS home. Midwest Air Pros experts can recommend equipment to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Click the Find A Pro link to choose a trusted HVAC company in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.