Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Hybrid Heating Systems

In the past, your heating system may not have run as efficiently as you’d like. The older a heater gets, the more likely it is to suffer wear and tear that could reduce the performance you’re used to and cause your system to consume a lot of energy, a problem which results in higher and higher utilities as the years go on. You can lessen the impact a bit by scheduling a professional tune up every year to maintain optimal efficiency, but this can only get you so far. At some point, you’ll need a replacement system, and if you’re looking for one of the most efficient systems out there, a hybrid heating system may be the way to go.

A hybrid heating system utilizes the high efficiency of a heat pump in combination with the reliability of a standard gas furnace. Heat pumps are actually constructed using a refrigeration cycle, the same technology used for air conditioning, which means you can use your hybrid system for both heating. During the cooling season, your heat pump functions as an air conditioner, using refrigerant to absorb heat from your home and move it out of the house. In the heating season, it basically works in reverse, absorbing heat from the outside air and moving it into your home.

What makes this so efficient is that it only moves heat around, instead of consuming a lot of energy to generate heat via combustion or electrical heating elements. However, heat pumps can begin to struggle when the temperature outside drops below the “balance point” that your model and size of heat pump can handle, a common issue here in Colorado. That’s why a hybrid system includes controls that allow it to switch over to a gas furnace when necessary.

Yes, your older gas furnace may have been inefficient, but today’s models are much more regulated. Even the least efficient modern models carry efficiency ratings about 30% higher than those built several decades ago. While your heat pump will only switch into furnace mode when needed, you should know that in either mode, you’ll get maximum energy savings and reduce the wear and tear of both your heat pump and furnace.

Purchasing hybrid heating systems in Fort Collins from the friendly professionals at Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning is a great way to ensure quality installation and expert service.

Give us a call to learn more about hybrid heating or to schedule an appointment with one of our technicians today!

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One of the major benefits of a heat pump system is that it provides both heating and cooling for your home. But when the temperature dips below 32 degrees, there can be some concern about an air-source heat pump being able to provide your home with enough heat. What are your options? Consider the installation of a hybrid heating system.

Why Is There Concern with a Heat Pump?

During the winter months, heat pumps absorb the available heat in the surrounding air, concentrate it and disperse it into your living spaces. However, as the air temperature cools, the amount of available heat in the air decreases, especially when the temperature dips below 32 degrees. When there is less available heat in the air, your heat pump may struggle or have to work harder to achieve your set temperature. But with a hybrid heating system, this isn’t a problem.

What Is a Hybrid Heating System?

A hybrid heating system uses a heat pump as its main source of heat, but has a gas furnace back-up for cold days. In a hybrid system, the heat pump is equipped with a sensor that monitors the outside temperature. At a pre-set temperature, which is typically a few degrees above freezing, the heat pump will automatically switch to the gas-furnace back-up. The switch is seamless, and works in conjunction with the dual-fuel thermostat in your home. There is also a pre-set temperature at which the system will switch back to the heat pump, so you don’t have to worry about having to switch the system manually at any stage.

Why Consider a Hybrid Heating System?

  • Keep the benefits of a heat pump – with a hybrid heating system, you keep the benefits of a heat pump, such as heating and cooling and great energy efficiency, without losing needed winter heating.
  • Convenience – the system’s automation allows you to enjoy the heat of your gas furnace or heat pump without needing manual assistance.
  • Never worry about having enough heat – with a hybrid heating system, you won’t have to worry about having enough heat, even on the coldest days of winter.

If a hybrid heating system in Loveland sounds like a good fit for you and your home, contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning today.

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It’s getting chilly outside, and that means one thing for your home: it’s time to start thinking about heating! Homeowners have multiple options when it comes to heating systems, and two major factors many consider when choosing a heating system are energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. If these factors are on your list of needs, you may want to consider a hybrid heating system. As many people know, heat pumps are very energy efficient and environmentally-friendly. However, heat pumps need a back-up heating system for regions with winter temperatures below 32 degrees, which is what we have in Colorado. A hybrid heating system combines two systems – a heat pump and a gas furnace – into one system to allow you the benefits of a heat pump while providing the back-up heating of a furnace. Professional heating installation is a must when it comes to hybrid systems, and Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning have the knowledge and experience to help you with all your heating needs.

How Does a Hybrid System Work?

As we discussed above, a hybrid system is the combination of an electric heat pump and a gas furnace. The heat pump is the lead source of heat and the gas furnace serves as back-up. The heat pump resides outside and the gas furnace stays indoors. The heat pump heats your home until the outdoor temperature reaches a designated degree; once this temperature is reached, the system automatically switches the heat source to the gas furnace.

The way the system knows to switch heat sources is by the use of an indoor, programmable thermostat that is equipped with a dual-fuel mode feature and a sensor on the outdoor heat pump. As the homeowner, you designate a “set-point” temperature in the thermostat, which becomes the trigger temperature to change heating methods from the heat pump to the gas furnace. This set-point temperature is determined by your regional climate. When the temperature outside falls below your set-point temperature, the system will automatically switch from the heat pump to the gas furnace.

If you’ve been looking for a way to gain the benefits of a heat pump, a hybrid heating system may be just the heating system you’ve been waiting for.

Call Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning today and speak to one of our heating installation experts about hybrid heating options for your home.

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