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If you’re a homeowner, there’s a good chance that you’ve at least heard of heat pumps by now. They’re a type of HVAC solution that’s gaining popularity worldwide. They offer efficient heating and cooling from a single system. Plus, they operate solely on electricity. As a result, heat pumps help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, thereby slowing climate change. Unfortunately, these systems have some drawbacks, particularly in colder climates. That can make choosing one for your Downers Grove, IL, home a risky proposition. Fortunately, there’s a solution: hybrid heat pumps. Here’s everything you need to know about them and their benefits during our extreme winters.
The Cold-Weather Weaknesses of Heat Pumps
If you’re unfamiliar with how heat pumps work, they’re easy to understand. A heat pump uses the same refrigeration cycle as a conventional AC. However, a heat pump can operate its refrigeration cycle in reverse. In that mode, it can collect heat from the outside air for indoor space heating. That’s the secret to their amazing efficiency as a heating solution. In mild winter conditions, a heat pump can reach efficiencies approaching 400%. That’s over four times as efficient as the best furnace you can buy.
Heat pumps achieve their high efficiency by using already-existing heat energy from the outdoor environment. You may not know it, but even frigid winter air has ample heat energy, even if you can’t feel it. However, the lower the temperature drops, the harder a heat pump must work to gather sufficient heat. As a result, a heat pump’s efficiency drops as outdoor temperatures drop. The good news is that modern cold-climate heat pumps remain at least 175% efficient down to 5°F. But even at that efficiency, they’d cost more to operate than a gas furnace. Therein lies the problem.
What Is a Hybrid Heat Pump?
A hybrid heat pump is a system that combines a heat pump with a gas furnace. The idea is to give you the option to use the most efficient heating solution based on the weather. Most hybrid systems let you select a switchover temperature to make the process seamless. Then, your home would rely on the heat pump for most of the winter. That maximizes your energy savings. On extremely cold days, the system would engage its furnace automatically to keep your home warm without spiking your energy bills.
What Are the Advantages of Hybrid Heat Pumps?
Selecting a hybrid heat pump also has some advantages beyond keeping energy costs low. One advantage is that a hybrid system can keep your home more comfortable. Heat pumps typically output air that’s between 90°F and 110°F. Since your normal body temperature falls within that range, a heat pump can make your home feel drafty, particularly in frigid weather. Furnaces, by contrast, output air between 140°F and 170°F. That makes them better equipped to drive the chill from your home on cold days.
It’s also worth pointing out that hybrid heat pumps also give you the peace of mind of knowing that a failure likely won’t leave you without heat. For example, if the heat pump component malfunctions, you can always rely on the furnace while awaiting repairs, and vice versa. Plus, it’s important to remember that a hybrid heat pump also serves as a cooling solution. So, you get to enjoy year-round comfort without installing a separate AC.
What Are the Disadvantages of Hybrid Heat Pumps?
The primary disadvantage of hybrid heat pumps is their cost. You can expect to pay more for a hybrid system versus a standard heat pump or furnace. However, it’s important to remember that you’re purchasing a best-of-both-worlds solution, which explains the price premium. Also, choosing a hybrid heat pump erodes some of the environmental benefits of heat pump technology. While it will lower your home’s carbon emissions relative to a gas furnace alone, it will still emit flue gases whenever the furnace component runs.
Your Hybrid Heat Pump Experts
On balance, hybrid heat pumps offer an excellent option for Downers Grove homeowners looking for an efficient heating solution. And Fire 'n' Ice Heating & Cooling Inc. is the best place to turn if you want one. We’ve served local homeowners since 1977 and understand the heating demands of local homes. Plus, we’re a Carrier Factory Authorized dealer, so we only sell the highest quality systems available. Add that to our team of NATE-certified HVAC technicians, and you have a recipe for exemplary heating services. So, if you’re interested in a hybrid heat pump for your Downers Grove home, contact Fire 'n' Ice Heating & Cooling Inc. today!
5240 Thatcher Rd.