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"Green" Hybrid or Dual Fuel Systems Heating Systems Explained...

As energy prices are increasing constantly the idea of "Green" high efficiency systems and the energy savings they can provide becomes more and more real to homeowners and businesses even in our hydroelectric charged northwest.

One popular approach today is called a “dual fuel” or "hybrid" heating system.  

First let’s define what a dual fuel or hybrid system is...

A dual fuel system is literally the combined installation of a both gas or oil furnace with an electric heat pump.

For clarification the simplest description of heat pump is that when a heat pump is in the heating mode it is a air conditioning system in reverse.

In the summer, a heat pump system acts just like an air conditioner and it absorbs the heat from your air and transfers it outside through the outdoor condensing unit. In the winter, by reversing the flow of refrigerant it now absorbs the heat from outside at the outdoor condenser and transfers it to the inside air.

Here is the advantage of the dual fuel or hybrid system; by combining the efficiency of a heat pump during it's peak outdoor operating temperatures with the high efficiency of a gas furnace or oil furnace for when the heat pump is less efficient a Dual Fuel or Hybrid System can provide maximum efficiency

Because our electric rates here in the Northwest are far more stable than in other areas around the country and far more reasonable what we are all more concerned about is the increased we have experienced in gas and oil prices.

This makes the heat pump even more attractive than normal but they are only efficient up to a certain point with regard to the outdoor air temperatures. Depending upon the EER rating or efficiency of the model of heat pump the advantage is decreased when the temperature drop below 40 Deg F for 13-14 SEER equipment and you can go as low as say 30 or 20 Def F with higher EER equipment.  

Many customers who already have furnaces in their homes and whose central air conditioners need replacing should consider a dual fuel or hybrid system. When your air conditioner goes bad you should look at upgrading with a heat pump to work in conjunction with your existing furnace heating system. This gives you the advantage of a new air conditioner for better cooling comfort and a heat pump (Note: they are the same unit!) which can be used most efficiently for heating on days when the temperature is above freezing.