Air Source Heat Pump with Propane Backup

Residential Propane Applications: Hybrid Heating Systems

Some residential hybrid heating benefits include protecting homeowners from rising utility costs. Plus, it's more energy efficient, more comfortable, and has a smaller carbon footprint.

Air source heat pumps that use backup gas furnaces are known as dual fuel systems. Your heat pump saves gas when operating as the primary source of heating and cooling. By switching to gas heating in extremely cold temperatures, you can use the advantages of propane or natural gas heating when you need it most.

Are Dual Fuel Heat Pumps Worth It?

Most dual-fuel systems are set up so that electricity can heat your home when the outside temperature is greater than 40 degrees. However, when temperatures are near freezing, heat pumps are expensive to run and gas is best used - hence, dual fuel heat. In theory, it gives you the best of both worlds.

How do dual fuel heat pumps work?

Dual fuel heat pumps are standard electric heat pumps with a gas furnace as a backup heat source. On milder winter days, use only the heat pump. When the outside temperature is too low for your heat pump to work effectively, the system automatically switches to using the backup furnace.

How much propane does a heat pump use?

ISU assumes propane costs $1.30 per gallon and electricity costs $0.095 per kWh. Convert percentages to decimals before inserting efficiency information. The average heat pump has an efficiency of 200%, or 2.0, while the lowest propane furnace has an efficiency of 78%, or 0.78.

Are you really saving money with a heat pump?

Heat pumps can actually save you money on energy bills. This means a comfortable home can lower your electricity bills - heat pumps are very cheap to run.

For more information on air source heat pumps, please contact us. Learn how you can not only save money, but also help protect the environment.