Is a Dual Fuel Heating System Right For Your Home?

During the colder months, heating costs can skyrocket if you don't have an energy-efficient heating system installed. Heating with just a heat pump or furnace is a common choice, but it doesn't provide optimum efficiency all winter long. Dual fuel heating system installation delivers the comfort and energy efficiency of both heating system types, suitable for the fluctuating temperatures of the Oregon winter.

If your home uses a heat pump, furnace, boiler, or even electric baseboards for heating, this is a single fuel system as it only uses one type of energy to operate – electricity, natural gas, heating oil, or propane. As the name suggests, a dual fuel heating system uses two different types of fuel for heating and thus has two different types of heating equipment to get the job done.

Dual fuel systems, sometimes called hybrid systems, combine an electric heat pump with a natural gas furnace to provide heating. Other combinations of a dual fuel heating system include an electric heat pump and a gas boiler, or an electric heat pump and an oil furnace or an oil boiler, but this will depend on your personal preferences and the requirements of your home.

Once the weather starts cooling down in the fall, and it's time to fire up your heater, you want to ensure that you can warm up your house without your energy prices skyrocketing. With a dual fuel heat pump, you can heat your home efficiently while conserving energy.

Explore the advantages of a dual fuel heating system for your home with the help of our NATE-certified technicians at Best Owner Direct HVAC in Oregon.

Advantages of Installing a Dual Fuel Heating System

• Efficiency – A dual fuel heating system is exceptional because it can reduce energy consumption and associated utility costs. There are two alternative heating systems available, allowing the most energy-efficient one to be chosen based on weather conditions.

• Cost-effective – Dual fuel heating systems are more efficient than single fuel systems because they combine an electric heat pump and a gas furnace. When temperatures drop to about 35 degrees Fahrenheit, dual fuel systems typically transition from the electric heat pump to the furnace. So, when winter comes, your home can get as toasty as it needs to be, and you can rest assured that you're not only saving money but also doing your part to protect the environment.

• Environmentally Friendly: As previously said, reducing the time your gas heater is on will result in significant savings. Since gas is more expensive to use than electricity, reducing the time your gas furnace runs will net you significant savings. The initial investment for a dual fuel heating system is greater than that of a standard heat pump or furnace, but the long-term cost reductions make up for it.

• Versatility: Using a dual fuel heating system is better for the environment since you won't have to add gas to your furnace to keep it running constantly. You'll have a clean, renewable heat source for your home thanks to the heat pump's reliance on electricity as its power source. Not only are you keeping yourself from breaking the bank, but you're also helping the earth at the same time.

In addition to being able to convert between heating and cooling modes with pinpoint accuracy, dual fuel heat pumps also have other valuable properties. If it's hot outside, the electric heat pump will direct the hot air away from your home, keeping you and your family comfortable and cool. The heat pump will do the opposite if it's cooler outside, circulating warm air inside to warm you and your family.

When temperatures drop below freezing during winter, the heat pump turns off, and the furnace takes over.

Due to its versatility and ability to transfer energy rather than use it, a dual fuel heating system is an excellent option for people who live in a four-season climate.

• Quiet operations: Due to the design of a dual fuel heating system and the air compressor being situated away from your home, you won't have to worry about any annoying noises coming from your heating system at any hour of the day or night. It comprises state-of-the-art SilentComfortTM technology, making it virtually invisible.

What about cooling?

In addition to providing efficient heating, a heat pump and natural gas furnace dual fuel system may also effectively chill your home during the warmer months. During the warmer months, the electric heat pump of your dual fuel heating system can switch roles and serve as the cooling system, making your home more versatile than ever.

The dual fuel heat pump's cooling mode is the inverse of its heating mode. The indoor evaporator coils receive warm air from the house, and the refrigerant in the coils absorbs the heat. The condenser coil outside the heat pump unit dissipates the heat energy collected from the refrigerant, cooling the air.

Get a dual-fuel furnace to save money and time

No matter what the Oregon winter throws at you, a dual fuel heating system will keep your home warm and cozy with minimal impact on the environment. Call Best Owner Direct HVAC immediately and receive a quote for dual fuel heating system installation for your home.