What is a Hybrid Heat System?
An electric heat pump can be an effective and efficient way to heat and cool your home. However, on very cold days, a heat pump may not provide as much heating as you need. That’s where a hybrid heating system comes into play. A hybrid system uses a heat pump alongside an additional heat source, typically a gas furnace. This ensures that you stay warm even on the coldest days.
How Does a Hybrid Heating System Work?
A hybrid heating system is designed to use a heat pump for the majority of your heating needs. When the temperature drops below a certain level, however, the auxiliary combustion furnace will kick on to provide additional heat. You can program the system to turn on the furnace at a certain temperature, or you can switch on the furnace manually when you need to warm up your home.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Hybrid Heating Systems?
The main advantage of using a hybrid heating system is that it offers a good balance between comfort and efficiency. Heat pumps are highly energy efficient. By using one of these units most of the time and only relying on a furnace during the coldest winter days, your energy bills will stay in check. This versatility also helps you reduce the amount of fossil fuels you use, so a hybrid system is an excellent choice if you’re concerned about your environmental footprint.
The main disadvantage to these systems is their up-front cost. Like a hybrid car, hybrid heating systems are more expensive than their traditional counterparts, but you could see a full return on your investment within five years thanks to much lower energy bills. Because you have two heating systems to maintain, you will also have more maintenance requirements than you would if you were using a heat pump by itself.
Need More Information?
If you want to learn more about hybrid heating systems and see if one is right for your Savannah home, our team at Savannah Air Factory can help. We offer a full range of services for hybrid heating systems, as well as traditional air conditioners and furnaces. Our team also provides indoor air quality solutions. Contact us at Savannah Air Factory today to set up an appointment.
