When you want maximum efficiency and cold-climate performance from your home’s heating system, do you need a furnace with a heat pump? Learn about premium heating services in Virginia Beach and your options for making use of this type of supplemental heating.
Benefits of Using a Heat Pump and a Furnace in Virginia Beach
The primary reason to install and use both a heat pump and a furnace is to achieve maximum comfort. Each has its advantages, but using them in tandem offers many benefits. Read on to learn more about them!
Backup Heating System
When you use this dual-fuel system, you get the assurance of having a backup heat source. In Virginia Beach, where dealing with low winter temperatures is common, this option gives you the extra peace of mind that every homeowner deserves.
If a repair tech is trying to troubleshoot your gas furnace, you could run the heat pump and remain comfortable until the repairs are complete.
Save Money During the Colder Weather
You could enjoy energy savings when you have both a heat pump and a furnace. A furnace costs more to run than a heat pump because the heat pump has better energy efficiency. When the weather is not bitterly cold, you could run the heat pump to keep the house warm and save money versus running the furnace.
Keep Warm in Winter
If you already have a heat pump at your home, do you need a furnace with a heat pump? Night-time winter temperatures are commonly near the freezing mark from December through February in the Virginia Beach, VA, area. When a cold snap hits, local temperatures can be well below freezing. Having a furnace isn’t just an option during these times; it’s a necessity.
Compared to a heat pump, a furnace better heats the home to the desired temperature when the weather is especially cold. Having the option to use a furnace during bitter winter weather will keep your family more comfortable than having a heat pump alone. Heat pumps struggle when temperatures are well below freezing because the outside air doesn’t have enough thermal energy that the heat pump can use.
Tips for Determining Whether You Need a Furnace With a Heat Pump
If you are considering using both a furnace and a heat pump, consider the following tips:
- Home size: You must have a heat pump that fits the size of the home, or it could short cycle, especially during very cold weather. Rather than stressing the heat pump, having the furnace available can help keep your entire home warm.
- Indoor air quality: Because a furnace relies on combustion, your indoor air quality is not quite as good when running a furnace as running a heat pump.
- Insulation: If your Virginia Beach home has adequate insulation, it will hold heat better. Good insulation makes using a heat pump easier because the unit doesn’t have to run as often. If you have poor insulation, the harder-working furnace may be the better selection to keep the home at a consistent temperature.
- Noise: If noise is a concern, you’ll want to operate the heat pump most of the time. It tends to run more quietly than a furnace.
How Climate Helps You Decide Whether You Need a Furnace With a Heat Pump
The local climate plays a key role in determining whether you need a heat pump, a furnace, or both.
- Warmer climates often only need a heat pump because they don’t experience extremely cold weather.
- Climates with extremely cold winters often need a furnace because of its ability to perform better in very low temperatures.
- Climates like Virginia Beach, with its occasional cold snaps, may benefit most from a dual system of heat pumps and a furnace.
Trust Hats Off Heating & Cooling for Your Furnace and Heat Pump Needs in Virginia Beach, VA
At Hats Off Heating & Cooling, our expert technicians can handle all your heating and cooling needs. We offer air conditioning maintenance, furnace installation, boiler repair, and boiler installation in Virginia Beach, VA, plus additional services to ensure year-round indoor comfort.
Do you need a furnace with a heat pump? Our service experts can advise you on the advantages and disadvantages of this setup to help you make an informed decision. We can provide recommendations about the best products to use for your property. For more information, contact the Virginia Beach heating and cooling experts at Hats Off Heating & Cooling today.
