As is the case with heat pumps in general, hybrid heat pumps are generating a huge amount of interest among consumers and homeowners.
They’re being touted as possible solutions to the rising cost of home heating and cooling, and there are numerous programs like the Mass Save heat pump rebate program that are offering significant rebates when you purchase and install a hybrid heat pump.
There’s a lot involved in doing this, though, and there are also a lot of questions to be answered about whether to install a hybrid heat pump, a hybrid HVAC system, hybrid heating system or a hybrid hot water heater.
At 128 Plumbing, we’re experts at all the products that go into these different systems, so let’s take a closer look at how these hybrid heating and cooling products work and what’s involved in the choices.
How a Heat Pump System Works
A heat pump can be used to heat or cool your home. It works by drawing air from the outside of your home, then heating or cooling that air.
The “system” part refers to the fact that the heat pump can use either multiple fuel sources to heat or cool the air it pulls in.
Typically, the two sources are electricity or natural gas, and the system also integrates smart technology to use whichever fuel source is more energy efficient for the temperature and conditions.
Furnace Heat Pump
A furnace heat pump works by pulling in air from the air surrounding your home, after which your furnace heats the air using natural gas or propane.
In some hybrid systems the furnace acts as a backup system for extremely cold temperatures, while the electrical aspect of a hybrid heat system is used during milder temperatures or to cool your home during the summer because it’s more energy efficient.
How a Dual Fuel System Guarantees Energy Efficiency
Dual fuel systems—i.e., hybrid systems that use either electricity or gas—are extremely energy efficient because of the heat pump that is at the heart of the system.
To get an idea how this works, consider electrical heat as an example. It’s considered close to 100 percent efficient because all of the electricity is used, typically in baseboard heating, to heat your home.
This is an expensive way to provide heating, but it is efficient.
Heat pumps, however, are far more efficient. Because they’re extracting heat from outside air, they’re basically moving that air rather than using energy to heat or cool it.
That means the overall efficiency of heat pumps can be as high as 370 percent, which is nearly four times as efficient as electrical heating.
How Heat Pumps Save You Money
In a hybrid system, heat pumps save money in two ways. Unless the temperatures are extremely cold, the air inside your home in a heat pump system is heated by electricity, which is a much cheaper way to heat your home because the heat pump is so efficient.
But heat pumps also save you money by “selecting” the more efficient fuel source—electricity when the external temperatures are mild, and gas during very cold conditions.
Homeowners also have a choice to do this manually if they don’t want to use the smart technology that’s incorporated into a heat pump, but heat pumps are designed to do this in a way that’s both efficient and convenient.
Why Hybrid Systems Are Better for Heating
Hybrid systems tend to be better for heating because of the choices they offer. They give homeowners a chance to avoid high gas and oil prices, which also reduces the emissions those fossil fuels produce.
Offering a choice between two different fuel sources is more economical as well. Electricity is a far cheaper way to heat your home because heat pumps are so efficient, but having gas as a fallback source can minimize the costly risk of having your heating system break down in the dead of winter.
Simply put, it’s the best of both possible worlds because you have multiple fuel sources available at all possible times.
Get the Best Hybrid Heat Pump System for Your Home Heating and Cooling Needs
There are many variables that go into choosing the best hybrid heat pump system for heating and cooling needs. These include the size of your family, your energy budget, the amount of space you need to heat and cool, and so on.
This is why it’s important to go with 128 Plumbing to choose the best hybrid heat pump system for you. We have the necessary experience to select the best product, and we can install it efficiently, then maintain and repair the system when issues do appear.
We can also do these repairs in a way that will keep your heat pump system under warranty, and we’ll factor in your costs and energy efficiency needs throughout the entire process.
Get a Great Hybrid Heat Pump from 128 Plumbing
There are many reasons to switch over to a hybrid heat pump as part of your HVAC system, but there’s also a lot involved in the process. You need to know the products, how much they’re going to cost, what the installation process is like, and you need to find a company that will do these things the right way.
Fortunately, we have the expertise to get you there, not to mention the teams to evaluate your needs, install the products correctly, then maintain them effectively and repair the system periodically when fixes are required.
To start the process, call us at (888) 419-4233 or (781) 670-3261. We’ll answer your questions and guide you through the process, and we can also tell you about the rebates that may be involved due to the recent Inflation Reduction Act.
To get even more information, you can also go to 128Plumbing.com and start a live chat, and we have some great blogs and articles there to help educate you about hybrid heat pumps and why they may be a great option for you.
