Terri Ramsey Beavers Modern-day technology has introduced new ways to heat and cool our homes. Perhaps, you’re using an outdated system that needs to be replaced, or maybe you simply want to upgrade to a more energy-efficient model. You may have heard the term hybrid heating before, but you’re uncertain how it works or what all of its benefits are. If so, sit tight. We’ll explain everything you need to know to decide if this is the right type of heating system for you.
How It Works
So what exactly is a hybrid heating system? It’s a system that combines two types of heaters in order to heat your home more efficiently. Hybrid heating systems use a heat pump as well as a more traditional furnace to provide supplemental heat since a heat pump is most suitable for moderate climates.
So why have a hybrid heating system? Heat pumps are attractive options for homes in moderate climates because they transfer heat from the outdoors into your home during wintertime and move heat from your house to the outside during the summertime. Because they move heat as opposed to generating heat, they can operate at one quarter the cost of heating and cooling systems. Sounds great, right?
It is, but heat pumps are limited in what they’re able to do. Once the temperature dips below 40 degrees, a heat pump begins to lose efficiency and needs a little extra help. That’s when the supplemental heating source kicks in.
A hybrid heating system knows when to switch over from one heating source to another. It uses intelligent control for both gas and electric heating to adjust to the changing weather conditions outside. By automatically adjusting to the most energy-efficient option, an intuitive hybrid heating system allows you to stay comfortable and save money all year long.
Benefits
The benefit of a hybrid heating system is that it combines the best of both worlds, ensuring maximum operating efficiency as well as optimal levels of comfort. As we mentioned before, a heat pump operates more efficiently than many other heating systems. But it doesn’t perform so hot in extreme weather.
Efficient
You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your comfort to save money on your utility bills, so a hybrid heating system uses the supplemental heat from the furnace to warm up your home when the heat pump can no longer do the job. This means you can stay comfortable year-round, while also saving money on your energy bills.
So just how much money can heat pumps save you? According to the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, when entire units are replaced, air-source heat pumps (which is one of the more common types of heat pumps) can save you up to $459 per year when compared to electric resistant heathers. They can save more than double that, up to $948 a year, when compared to oil systems. That can certainly add up over time.
Flexible and Durable
Another benefit is that since heat pumps are also used to cool air, there’s no need to install a separate air conditioning unit in your home. A hybrid heating system will actually cool your home in the summer months as well.
Heat pumps are also durable and long-lasting. An average one can last you up to several decades, and geothermal heat pumps can last even longer than that. Plus, due to their ability to switch back and forth with the most efficient heating source, hybrid heating systems are environmentally friendly as well.
Technologically Advanced
Some heat pump options for hybrid heating systems also have zoned performance capabilities. That means you can warm up different areas, or zones, of your home to different temperature settings. Zoned heating can make your system operate even more efficiently.
Many hybrid heating systems also feature technology to improve your indoor air quality. For instance, some gas furnace options for hybrid heating systems offer perfect humidity technology to remove moisture from your home.
In fact, this perfect humidity technology can remove up to 127 percent more moisture than a standard furnace. Some gas furnace options are also equipped with the ultra-quiet performance and even-temperature comfort of variable speed air delivery.
So, in a nutshell, hybrid heating systems are cost-efficient, convenient, and eco-friendly, and provide increased comfort. It doesn’t get much better than that. But are they the right option for you? Read on to find out.
Is it Right for you?
If you live in an extreme cold weather climate, hybrid heating systems may not be the best option for you. You may want to opt for a heating system better equipped to handle below-freezing temperatures instead. If you’re struggling to pay your heating bill, you can sign up for free gas with central heating grants.
However, if you live in a moderate climate, such as in Oregon, then hybrid heating systems are an excellent option. By saving you money on energy bills, hybrid heating systems allow you to get a good return on your investment. They also provide increased comfort when compared to simply installing a heat pump on its own.
If you really want to crunch the numbers to see if a hybrid heating system would work for you, give us a call. Or simply fill out this form. Watts Heating & Cooling has been providing Oregon families with solutions to fit both their needs and budget for years. We want to be able to do the same for you as well.
If you’re still undecided or have more questions, not to worry. We’ll help you figure out if a hybrid heating system is the right solution for you. If so, we’ll professionally match one of our heat pump units with a natural gas furnace to come up with just the right combination for your home.
You don’t have to break the bank to live comfortably. We’ll show you how a hybrid heating system will allow you to save money while also ensuring the health and comfort of your family.