If you are looking to maximize the efficiency of your furnace this winter and potentially save money, consider installing a heat pump. These HVAC additions are gaining popularity in mild climates for environmental reasons as well as financial ones. Find out how heat pumps and furnaces can work together to heat your home and save you money in the guide below.

How Does a Heat Pump Boost Your Furnace’s Functionality?

How a Heat Pump Works

Heat pumps are designed to capture heat present in outside air, water, or the ground and transfer it to the air in your home. Even when these elements are colder than inside your home, there is still heat energy to be transferred. Air-sourced pumps use a fan to pull air into a compressor that moves the air across refrigerant lines. Depending on which way the refrigerant flows, the pump transfers heat from inside to outside, or vice versa. The heated air then circulates through your house via a blower, evaporator coil, ducts, and vents. Heat pumps don’t create heat, but instead move heat from one place to another. Their efficiency drops at temperatures below 40 degrees.

How a Furnace Works

Furnaces, on the other hand, use an external energy source to create heat and distribute it through the air in your home. They can run on heating oil, propane, natural gas, or electricity. The thermostat signals to the furnace to create a heating cycle, in which lights the burner or electric coils warm the heat exchanger. Cold air is blown across the heat exchanger, transferring warmth to the air. The warm air is then distributed through the HVAC system.

How They Work Together

Heat pump and furnace combinations are referred to as “dual fuel” systems. When temperatures stay above freezing, the heat pump can extract latent heat present in the outside air and circulate it through the HVAC system without the need for the furnace to fire. Once temperatures drop, however, the heat pump can’t obtain enough heat to keep your house warm, so the furnace is engaged. A heat pump, which runs on electricity, allows you to save on fuel by only using the furnace when it’s especially cold.

To learn more about how a heat pump can benefit your HVAC system, contact Cowboy's Heating & Air in Farmersville, OH. Their team is available 24/7, 365 days a year to attend to your heating and cooling needs. From design and installation to repairs and upgrades, this locally-owned and -operated small business is proud to share their skills and expertise with the Miami Valley and tri-state area community. Call (937) 604-1541 for an estimate or visit them online to see a full list of services.