The heat pump costs less to operate than a gas furnace and works to trim household energy consumption and expense.
The majority of homes are heated by way of a forced air furnace. In most cases, the furnace is partnered with a conventional air conditioner to include cooling capacity. However, there are benefits to choosing an electric heat pump instead. Although the initial purchase and set up of the heat pump is higher than an air conditioner, it offers greater potential for cost savings. While an air conditioner only provides cooling, a heat pump combines both heating and cooling capabilities. During warmer weather months, the heat pump performs similarly to an air conditioner. It absorbs heat out of the indoor air and uses refrigerant to convey it outside. Modern heat pumps are especially effective at dehumidifying and can help to lower cooling costs. As the weather cools off, an air conditioner simply sits idle. A heat pump actually reverses the flow of refrigerant and takes advantage of ambient heat available in the outdoor air. It compressors this heat to a higher temperature and uses it to heat the home. This process avoids the burning of fossil fuels. It eliminates combustion and the harmful side-effects such as carbon monoxide. Because the heat pump doesn’t generate greenhouse gasses, it is especially environmentally friendly. The heat pump costs less to operate than a gas furnace and works to trim household energy consumption and expense. While modern heat pumps are quite powerful, they tend to struggle to keep up with demand when the outdoor temperature drops well below freezing. The furnace works as a backup system, automatically cycling on and taking over for as long as necessary. The combination of a forced air gas furnace and an electric heat pump is called a dual fuel or a hybrid system.