About The Author: Travis Baugh is a Digital Brand Marketing Manager for Bryant, where he creates clear, helpful content to guide homeowners through heating, cooling, and indoor air quality decisions. His goal is to empower readers with the knowledge they need to choose the right comfort solutions for their home—confidently and comfortably.
Dual Fuel Heat Pump
By Travis Baugh
Dual fuel heat pump systems blend the comfort of a heat pump with the reliability of a furnace, ensuring warmth during the coldest months while optimizing energy use. Bryant's dual fuel heat pumps integrate cutting-edge technology, providing consistent comfort and peace of mind. Explore how these systems work, their benefits, and determine if they are ideal for your residential heating needs.
What is a Dual Fuel Heating System?
A dual fuel heating system offers a unique combination of heating and cooling solutions by pairing a heat pump with a gas furnace. The electric heat pump extracts heat from the outdoor air, transferring it inside, while the furnace provides supplemental heat when temperatures are too low for the heat pump alone. Compared to traditional systems, dual fuel heat pumps offer enhanced flexibility and energy efficiency. They automatically switch between the heat pump and furnace based on outdoor conditions, optimizing energy use and ensuring consistent warmth.
By utilizing both electric and gas sources, dual fuel heating systems provide an eco-friendly option that can help reduce your carbon footprint and help save on heating and cooling costs. During milder weather, the heat pump operates efficiently, conserving energy, while the furnace takes over during colder months for reliable heating. This strategic energy source combination makes dual fuel HVAC systems an intelligent choice for homeowners seeking to upgrade their heating solutions.
How Does a Dual Fuel HVAC Work?
Combining the strengths of electric heat pumps and gas furnaces, dual fuel HVAC systems offer an efficient, cost-effective heating solution. The heat pump extracts heat from outdoor air, even in cooler temperatures, and transfers it indoors. When temperatures drop significantly, the system switches to the furnace for additional heating, maintaining optimal comfort and efficiency. Learn more about how a heat pump works and how a furnace works.
Temperature thresholds for switching between heat sources are carefully calibrated to maximize savings and comfort. Typically, the heat pump operates until the outdoor temperature hits a preset level, often around 30°F to 40°F, based on model and climate. This approach allows homeowners to enjoy lower electric heating costs during milder weather and rely on the furnace during the coldest days.
According to Mike Lea, co-owner of Lea Heating & Air Conditioning in East Dundee, IL, a lot of factors go into the dealers’ decision of when the system should use a heat pump vs furnace for heating, including:
- What temperature is the heat pump more efficient and at what temperature is the gas furnace more efficient?
- What kind of home do you have?
- How old is the home?
- What is the insulation and windows look like?
“We determine what we call the economical break point where we should be switching from one source to the other,” Lea said. “It’s nice to have the nice flexibility of the system, from an energy efficiency perspective.”
Modern dual fuel heat pump systems include advanced control systems and smart technology integration, enabling precise temperature management and remote control from apps like the Bryant Smart Home App. Bryant's dual fuel HVAC systems are designed for reliability and ease of use, adapting to your lifestyle and enhancing heating efficiency.
Advantages of Dual Fuel Heat Pump Systems
Dual fuel heat pump systems represent a significant breakthrough in home heating and cooling technology, offering energy efficiency, potential savings, and a reduced carbon footprint. Key benefits of dual fuel heat pump systems include:
- Energy efficiency: By seamlessly integrating a heat pump with a traditional furnace, these systems optimize energy use according to outdoor temperatures. The heat pump extracts heat efficiently during milder weather, while the furnace provides warmth in colder conditions, using only the necessary energy. This smart operation can help lead to reduced heating bills.
- Help lower your carbon footprint: Primarily relying on electricity, which can come from renewable sources, these systems reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional methods. Choosing a dual fuel heat pump system is an investment in your home and a step towards sustainability.
- Enhanced comfort: Adjusting heating solutions based on temperature, they offer tailored climate control, ensuring consistent warmth without abrupt temperature shifts typical of traditional systems. This ensures year-round comfort for you and your family, irrespective of weather changes.
“The advantages of a dual fuel system include energy efficiency and the cost savings of automatically switching between sources of heat based on the parameters that the dealers enter into the thermostat when installing the system,” Lea said.
Another big advantage Lea sells to customers is having a backup source of heat in the home.
“If the gas furnace or heat pump fails for some reason, you have another source of heat in the home, which also helps prevent pipes freezing,” Lea said.
Being able to switch between heating sources has the potential for financing advantages, too.
“Another big thing is if electric rates or natural gas prices spike or skyrocket for some reason, you have the ability to pick and choose your heating source based on the market utility pricing,” Lea said.
Installation and Maintenance of Dual Fuel Heat Pumps
Professional installation is crucial when considering a dual fuel heat pump. A thorough assessment of your home’s heating and cooling needs ensures optimal system sizing and efficiency. Heat pump installation involves evaluating ductwork, ensuring proper refrigerant levels, and integrating the dual fuel system with existing heating sources. This careful approach maximizes performance and extends the lifespan of your heat pump.
Regular heat pump maintenance is essential for smooth operation. Schedule annual check-ups with certified technicians to inspect the system, clean coils, and change filters. Simple tasks, like keeping the outdoor unit debris-free and ensuring unobstructed vents, contribute to optimal performance. Preventative maintenance helps avoid costly heat pump repair and maintains energy efficiency year-round.
Be alert for signs indicating your dual fuel HVAC system may need attention. Unusual noises, fluctuating temperatures, or increased heating and cooling bills can signal issues. If the system fails to switch between fuel sources seamlessly, immediate attention is required. Early recognition and prompt action ensure reliable year-round comfort.
Is a Dual Fuel Heating System Right for Your Home?
Several factors influence the choice of a heating system. Consult a qualified HVAC professional to evaluate your needs and determine the best system configuration. Among other factors, your local Bryant dealer will assess your local climate as dual fuel heat pumps excel in regions with moderate winters by combining electric heat pump technology with a gas furnace, ensuring efficiency and comfort during colder months. This hybrid approach is ideal for areas with fluctuating temperatures.
Though dual fuel heating systems may have higher upfront costs than split systems consisting of an air conditioner and a furnace, their long-term benefits can at times outweigh initial expenses. They can help offer savings on heating bills, especially in areas with variable energy costs. Additionally, they help reduce your carbon footprint, providing an eco-friendly solution aligned with sustainability goals. With Bryant's advanced dual fuel heat pumps, you’re investing in comfort, efficiency, and a greener future for your home.
Connect With A Bryant Dealer on Dual Fuel Heat Pump
Talk to a Bryant® dealer to find out if a dual fuel heat pump system is the right fit for your home and climate. Combining the efficiency of a heat pump with the reliability of a gas furnace, dual fuel systems offer year-round comfort and energy savings. Your local Bryant expert can evaluate your needs and recommend the best solution. Schedule an appointment today.
Discover Bryant Heat Pumps
Choose a Bryant air source heat pump for reliable, energy-efficient heating and cooling all year round. Known for their durability and advanced technology, Bryant heat pumps offer superior comfort while lowering energy costs. With quiet operation and smart features like variable-speed motors, Bryant systems ensure optimal temperature control. Backed by industry-leading warranties and professional installation from your local Bryant dealer, a Bryant heat pump is a long-term investment in comfort, efficiency, and peace of mind for your home.
Dual Fuel Heat Pump FAQs
A dual fuel heat pump is a hybrid heating system that combines an electric heat pump with a gas furnace, switching between the two for optimal efficiency and comfort.
It uses the heat pump for heating and cooling in mild weather, and automatically switches to the gas furnace when outdoor temperatures drop too low for the heat pump to operate efficiently.
Dual fuel systems offer energy savings, improved comfort, and lower emissions, while ensuring reliable performance in both mild and extreme temperatures.
A dual fuel heat pump is ideal in climates with both hot summers and cold winters, where it can maximize efficiency by switching fuel sources based on outdoor conditions.
A traditional heat pump uses only electricity for heating and cooling, while a dual fuel system can switch to a gas furnace in colder temperatures for greater efficiency and reliability.
Learn More About Heat Pumps
- Understand the value of a geothermal heat pump
- Read our guide to heat pump cost
- Discover what is auxiliary heat
- Learn about 3 ton heat pumps
- Discover types of heat pump systems
- Learn about heat pump maintenance
- Find out more about heat pump replacement
- Explore cold climate heat pumps
- How do I know if I have a heat pump?
- Learn about heat pump benefits
- Explore the value of high efficiency heat pumps
- Find out about 4-ton heat pumps
