If you’re a homeowner or a tenant who pays his or her own energy bills, you’re doubtless concerned about your energy costs. They’ve jumped considerably in the last year or two, and everyone’s looking for a way to cut their costs.
Switching over to a hybrid heating system is one of the best ways to do this. You’ll save money on your home heating and cooling bills, to the point where the product you buy will basically pay for itself over time.
A new hybrid heating system will also last longer and be more efficient, so let’s take a closer look at some of what’s involved in saving money with these systems.
How a High Efficiency Heat Pump Works
The reason these hybrid system are so efficient is the heat pump itself. Heat pump technology has advanced so quickly and comprehensively that it’s now far more efficient than electric heating, which is considered at or close to 100 percent efficient.
But how is that possible? Isn’t 100 percent the most efficient number you can attain when it comes to home heating?
No. Heat pumps draw heat from the air around your home, where it’s heated by one of two fuels in a hybrid system.
Heat pumps can be as efficient as 370 percent, which makes them a great bargain, and their reliability has increased to the point where they can be used in areas like Massachusetts with cold winters, not just down south or out west.
Benefits of a Hybrid HVAC System
The biggest benefit of a hybrid HVAC system is the “hybrid” part. Having a system that can choose between gas and electric sources to heat your home means you’ll always be safe and warm, no matter how cold it gets.
Hybrid HVAC systems are also energy efficient. If you’ve been facing high fuel and utility bills—and who isn’t these days?—a hybrid system will lower them, and considerably at that. Winter or summer, these systems will keep money in your pocket.
They’ll also future-proof you when it comes to the technology. What does that mean? For one thing, the government is pushing the installation and use of these systems, and there are rebate programs at both the state and federal level.
In addition, these hybrid HVAC systems are built to last. They’re usually warranted for 10 years, and most will last 15 or more. The technology is still evolving, but you’ll be getting in on the ground floor with a system that’s going to be around for a long time.
What Fuels Does a Dual Fuel Hybrid System Use?
Hybrid heating systems use two sources of fuel, which is where the “dual” part comes from. They can heat the air pulled in by a heat pump with electricity, or they can do it with gas via a traditional furnace.
That multiplies the savings considerably. In a duel fuel system, the system itself “chooses” the most efficient fuel heating method, depending on the conditions.
It does this using smart technology, so you don’t have to do anything other than sit back and enjoy your comfortable home, unless you’d like to count the money you’re saving as well.
The Role of a Furnace in a Home Hybrid Heating System
Furnaces can play one of two roles in a home hybrid heating system. When the temperatures plunge, they may become your primary heat source, depending on the decisions that are made by the hybrid system itself.
When temperatures are mild, though, the furnace becomes a backup heating source. That means your using the heat pump to help generate cheaper electric heat during the late fall/early winter and late winter/early spring.
Rather than burning oil or gas in these conditions, the fuel system is busy saving you money by making the best possible choice for your heating needs.
Getting the Right Heating System for Your Needs
How a Hybrid Heat System Works
Hybrid home heating systems are built around a heat pump that pulls in air from outside your home. In the winter it extracts heat from that air, which is then further heated by either an electrical heating element or a furnace that runs on gas.
It is that duality that makes these systems work so effectively. When the temperatures are cooler and still relatively mild, the hybrid system will “choose” the electric part of the system to heat the air because it’s cheaper.
It does this through smart technology, but system owners who wish to make the choice themselves can choose to override that smart technology.
When the temperatures are cold, however, the system may direct the furnace to take over and heat your home.
This is because furnaces are a time-honored solution that will heat your home in even the coldest conditions, while heat pump technology still hasn’t developed to the point where it’s 100 percent reliable in bitter, freezing cold.
Get the Best Home Hybrid Heating System
There are many excellent hybrid heating products on the market, but the “best” one is the one that suits your needs.
That means you need to ask yourself some important questions. How large is your family, if you have one? How large is the space you’re looking to heat or cool? How high is your budget, and how much are you emphasizing savings versus comfort.
That’s not to say you need to make a choice between these last two. At 128 Plumbing, we’re familiar with all the major brands, and we’ve know what their strengths and weaknesses are. You tell us what you need, we’ll get you there—it really is that simple.
Getting the Right Heating System for Your Needs With 128 Plumbing
As well as we know the brands, we also know the efficiency and cost numbers just as well. These can get confusing, but we have plenty of data to use to find the best choice for your needs, and we’ll simplify the explanation so that it’s easy to understand.
So call us to get in on the savings. The numbers are (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 any additional 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 all the savings that are available.
