What Is a Dual Fuel Heating System: A Brief Guide

Are you thinking about making the switch to a more efficient heating system? Call Smooth Sailing Heating & Cooling today at (864) 633-3313 to book a consultation.

When the winter months arrive, your energy bills can soar if you don’t have an energy-efficient heating system.

For many homeowners, using a furnace or a heat pump to heat the home is the default choice. However, they both have their downsides. Therefore, more people are turning to dual fuel heating systems, as they provide the best of both worlds.

What is a dual fuel heating system? How is it beneficial? As the premier heating maintenance company in Boiling Springs, SC, we’ve installed countless dual fuel heating systems across the city. We’ll cover all the details in this post.

Dual Fuel Heating System Explained

As the name implies, a dual fuel heating system features two distinct types of heating equipment, each one using a different type of fuel for heating. Most dual fuel heating systems combine an electric heat pump and a natural gas furnace to keep a home toasty during the colder months.

Some people replace the furnace with a gas boiler in their dual fuel setup, depending on personal preferences or other peculiarities. For example, it may be difficult to install a furnace in a home without ductwork.

Why Choose a Dual Fuel Heating System?

To understand why dual fuel heating systems make sense, you have to refresh your memory on how traditional heating systems work.

A heat pump warms your home by extracting heat energy from the air outside. The refrigerant running inside the coils plays an important role in this process. This method of heat generation is highly efficient. However, it turns to a disadvantage during the peak of winter. When there isn’t enough heat energy in the air outside, the unit will struggle to keep your home warm, and many never reach your desired temperatures.

Some heat pumps switch to built-in internal auxiliary heating coils, which are more like your average electric space heaters. As a result, they guzzle up a lot more energy without really providing the right levels of comfort.

On the other hand, a furnace burns fuel to generate heat. The principle is the same whether you have a natural gas furnace, propane furnace, or oil furnace. The heat exchanger and blower fan work in tandem to spread the heat across your home. In the coldest months of the year, the furnace can keep you comfortable and provide warmth across your home. However, in the earlier or later stages of winter, the furnace isn’t the most efficient method of heating. 

So, if you’re asking, “What is a dual fuel heating system?” you should see it as a combo of heating equipment that allows you to choose the right type of heating for the weather without wasting energy.

When the temperature outside isn’t too cold, your heat pump can warm your home without using those auxiliary coils, and you won’t have to use the furnace unnecessarily. As temperatures fall further, your furnace can kick in to provide cheaper supplemental heating.

The Benefits of a Dual Fuel Heating Systems

Some of the benefits of a dual fuel HVAC system include the following.

Higher Efficiency

With a dual fuel heating system, you can lower your energy consumption without having to sacrifice your comfort. You can switch from one heating system to the other, depending on the prevailing weather conditions. Keep in mind that your HVAC expert can set up the system to transition from the heat pump to the furnace without your input.

Eco-Friendly Heating

By only using the furnace when it’s absolutely necessary, you’ll lower your carbon footprint a great deal. If your electricity doesn’t come from coal burning, your home’s carbon footprint can take a huge dip by choosing a dual fuel heating system.

Versatility

With a dual fuel heating system, you never have to worry about the winter weather’s surprises. If the weather gets too cold for a few days or weeks, your furnace will be equal to the task.

Is a Dual Fuel Heating System a Good Idea for You? Book a Consultation

Now that you know the answer to, “What is a dual fuel heating system?” the next question is whether you need to embrace this setup. If you understand how HVAC systems work, you’ll know that the right answer will vary from one home to the other.

The best way to get a definitive answer is to book a consultation with Smooth Sailing Heating & Cooling, the premier HVAC company in Boiling Springs, SC. Call us at (864) 633-3313 to get started.