Heat pumps are wonderful devices that offer homeowners the power of an excellent air conditioner and a forced-air heater in a single, energy-efficient package. However, there is one drawback that often comes up when people consider installing a heat pump in their home: the difficulty these systems encounter with sub-freezing temperatures. Heat pumps must draw heat from the outside air to provide warmth in heating mode; as the temperature dips lower, this becomes more difficult and the heat pump can lose efficiency.
But there’s a solution: hybrid heating systems, which combine a heat pump with a second heater that uses a different fuel source. This second heater, which is usually a gas-powered furnace (although propane furnaces are available for homes without a natural gas line), serves as a backup system that automatically activates to assist the heat pump during cold weather.
If you think a hybrid heat pump will do the best job of keeping your home comfortable, call Cowboys Air Conditioning & Heating today and speak to one of our expert installers. Here are three advantages you’ll receive from installing a hybrid heating system in New Braunfels, TX:
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You’ll always have sufficient heat
The worry about a heat pump failing to keep you warm in heavy colds…that’s history with a hybrid. The heat pump half of the hybrid system detects when it will struggle with low temperatures (the “economic balance point”) and automatically turns on the backup heater to make up the difference. You won’t have to take any extra steps: you’ll start receiving sufficient heating for as long as the harsh cold lasts.
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You’ll still have cost-effective heating
Heat pumps use less power to provide heating than furnaces and boilers, and that makes them attractive to homeowners who wish to reduce their heating bills. The addition of a second heater makes hybrid systems costlier to operate—but not by much, since the backup system will only run during the short periods when it’s necessary. You can still expect to save money with a hybrid heater compared to installing a furnace or boiler.
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You’ll still have all the benefits of a heat pump
A hybrid system is at heart a standard heat pump. Most of the time, you won’t have to worry about the backup heater (although it should receive maintenance along with the heat pump each year) and instead enjoy the benefits of a system that provides you with both heating and cooling. A heat pump is more than enough to handle the Texas heat during summer.
Find out if a hybrid heating system will work for your home: give us a call today to set up an appointment with a trusted and professional heating service in New Braunfels, TX.
