| You may have heard of geothermal heat pumps | | | | There are definite disadvantages to gas power |
| (earth-based pumps) and air source electric heat | | | | and electrical power in their own right; when |
| pumps (electricity-based) but what about dual-fuel | | | | combined the two systems complement each |
| heat pumps? These are actually a type of electric | | | | other, giving one the "best of both worlds." The |
| heat pump but also combine a gas furnace. The | | | | only potential disadvantage here is the startup |
| natural limitation of air electric pumps is that they | | | | cost, much like geothermal pumps. Dual-fuel |
| do not perform well in extreme temperatures, | | | | pumps run upwards of $1,000 sometimes |
| like the dead of winter. They extract their heat | | | | because you are basically buying two |
| from the air, and thus in below freezing | | | | systems-in-one. |
| temperatures, they are limited in their capacity. | | | | Nevertheless, if you can afford this expense then |
| That is where the dual-fuel pump comes in. This is | | | | it's best to invest in this technology, because over |
| an effective way to heat the home, as whenever | | | | the long run you will be saving money on a |
| the air electric pump system does start to wane | | | | superior and more economical system than |
| because of low temperatures, a gas furnace | | | | electric-based heat pumps alone. |
| activates and provides a more economic and a | | | | There are a variety of systems to choose from, |
| more effective form of heat. You are taking | | | | including manufacturers like Bryant Evolution, |
| advantage of electrical power and gas power to | | | | Daikin, Friedrich, Fujitsu, Heritage and Sanyo. The |
| heat your home. | | | | most notable differences will be in price as well as |
| Whenever the temperature is above freezing | | | | whether the model is an inside or outside pump |
| temperatures the system can easily use | | | | system. Some companies also offer financing on |
| electricity to generate heat (or air, if it's | | | | these dual-fuel pumps. |
| reversible). This type of heat isn't as warm, but | | | | Some products like the Heil PDX4 Packaged |
| still distributes comfortable heat evenly throughout | | | | Two-Stage Dual Fuel Heat Pump Series offer |
| the living quarters. However, when the air gets | | | | quiet operation, a two stage system, a direct |
| extremely cold and below freezing temperatures, | | | | spark ignition system and a 14 SEER performance |
| the pump starts to switch (automatically in most | | | | level. This is a great way to lower your long-term |
| cases) to supplemental gas power. This makes | | | | electrical costs while ensuring a warm winter |
| the system not only affordable but also warmer. | | | | season. |