Dual fuel system installed is a mouthful to say, but it’s really a lot simpler than it sounds. A dual fuel heating and cooling system is an all-in-one way to control the temperature in your home year-round. And it comes with the added bonus of a furnace to boost heating ability in the winter.
Dual fuel heating systems continue to gain popularity as more people seek out hybrid options that connect to both electricity and propane or natural gas. A dual fuel system provides the benefits of each energy source and helps increase the system’s energy efficiency. If dual fuel systems in Newtown Square, PA sound interesting to you, continue reading to learn more.
How a Dual Fuel Heating System Works
A hybrid heater sounds great in theory, but how does it actually work? A dual fuel system is primarily a heat pump that heats and cools your home, all from a single unit. The added benefit is that the heat pump also has a backup furnace powered by either natural gas or propane – depending on what’s available on your property.
Heat pumps are popular systems because they offer all-in-one heating and cooling without the need for separate systems. Heat pumps are very well known for efficiently cooling homes, but heating is another story. In the winter on the coldest days of the year, there is very little heat in the air for your heat pump to bring into your home.
Benefits and Downsides of a Dual Fuel Systems
Your heat pump can begin working harder to produce heat and reach a temperature that is nearly unattainable. That’s where the furnace add-on comes in. The furnace can aid in heating your home during the winter so your heat pump doesn’t have to work as hard.
Of course, the added furnace only benefits you for the colder months of the year, so the rest of the time it goes unused. Living in Pennsylvania, that’s a good portion of the year. And since we see many days that are at or below freezing, the furnace component of a dual fuel system would be put to great use.
But, if you face power outages due to winter storms, your gas-powered fuel pump will come in very handy. Even if the electricity is off, the gas lines will likely still work so that you can heat your home.
The one potential downside to some homeowners is the idea of having to replace their separate heating and cooling systems with a single heat pump. Some homeowners see a single system as a positive, while others see it as a negative. It really depends on your individual needs and expectations.
Want to learn more about whether dual fuel is right for you? Give our team a call to schedule your free at-home consultation. Our experts can share more about how dual fuel works and assess your individual heating and cooling needs.
Michall Daimion Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. has been the Main Line’s Premier Service Provider since 1976.