An efficient heat pump in the winter can save you from cold winter nights, but once the temperature dips under 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the heat pump switches over to a gas or electric furnace. With a backup furnace, your central heating can withstand negative temperatures with ease. This guide shows you how they work together to perform this task.

How a Heat Pump Works in the Winter

In the summer months, a heat pump cools a building, but it reverses in the winter to warm the building. The system uses the heat present in the air, ground, or water, depending on whether it’s an air-source, geothermal, or water-source system, respectively. Water-source pumps are the least common because they need to draw from a well, river, or stream to operate. The heat pump absorbs that warmth and transforms it into heated air that blows through the ductwork and into rooms.

How a Furnace Works

A furnace is a form of central heating that primarily uses gas or electricity to push hot air into the ductwork of your home or business. A gas furnace uses natural gas to ignite the burner and sends flames directly into the heat exchanger. An electrical furnace works precisely like a blow dryer, using heated coils to push out the warm air. Gas and electric furnaces are equally common, and the one you use depends on preference and utility supply.

How They Work in Tandem

The heat pump acts as the first line of defense during the winter, but when the weather sinks below 40 degrees, operation switches to the furnace. Having both a heat pump and furnace work together is an environmentally friendly option, as many places in the U.S. don’t often see freezing temperatures. However, since Ohio weather frequently does, the furnace will kick in to keep the building toasty.

To schedule an HVAC inspection or tuneup for your central heating system, contact Ashland Furnace Co. in Boyd County, KY. For more than 50 years, this family-operated and -owned HVAC company has provided 24/7 emergency repair services. They stock a variety of top brands like Lennox®, Goodman®, and Amana® to ensure quality, budget-friendly systems. To learn more about the heating services they offer, visit them online. Call (606) 325-3211 to receive a free estimate.