For Texas homeowners, having both air conditioning for scorching summers and heating for mild winters is a must. Installing a system that includes an electric heat pump along with a gas furnace gives you the best of both worlds. The heat pump handles cooling and also provides economical heating on milder days. When temperatures really drop, the furnace kicks in to keep you warm. This combo maximizes efficiency and comfort year-round.

As your local HVAC experts, we want to explain how your heat pump lends a helping hand to your furnace. By understanding how these systems complement each other, you can optimize their performance and prolong their lifespan. 

How A Heat Pump Works

First, a quick refresher on heat pump operation. This ingenious system acts as both an A/C unit for cooling and a heater for warming your home. It moves heat rather than generating it, pulling warmth from outdoor air and circulating it indoors. 

Heat pumps utilize a special refrigerant compound that can absorb heat as it evaporates into a gas. On warm days, the gas absorbs heat inside your home. It’s pumped outside to condense back into liquid, releasing that heat outdoors. During heating mode, the process happens in reverse. The refrigerant grabs heat from outdoor air and deposits it inside, keeping your home comfortably heated.

Why Heat Pumps Can’t Do It Alone 

Heat pumps are extremely efficient, providing about 3x more heat energy than the electrical energy they consume. However, their capacity diminishes in extremely cold conditions. Once outdoor temperatures drop below about 30-40°F, the small amount of heat in the air can’t satisfy heating needs.     

That’s where your gas furnace comes in! The furnace takes over to produce plentiful warmth when the heat pump falters. This hybrid setup with gas backup ensures your home stays warm even when icy winter winds blow. Running both systems in tandem keeps your home comfortable in every Texas weather scenario.

How A Heat Pump Helps Your Furnace 

While the furnace does the heavy lifting on frigid days, the heat pump plays a key supporting role that benefits your furnace:

• Cuts Run Time: By handling all cooling and milder heating days, the heat pump reduces annual furnace runtime substantially. Less wear and tear helps it last longer. 
• Provides Warm Air Quickly: The heat pump warms your home on fall and spring days before you need to engage the furnace. This makes the furnace’s job easier when temps finally necessitate its use.
• Maintains Even Temperatures: Alternating between the two systems means there are less drastic temperature variances that force the furnace to work harder after long off periods. 
• Enables Efficient Staging: Newer dual-fuel systems can alternate between furnace and heat pump use in stages based on demand. This prevents overheating and wasted energy.
• Saves Money: Using the extremely efficient heat pump whenever possible reduces fuel consumption compared to furnace-only setups.

Keep Your Systems Synced

To ensure your heat pump and furnace maintain an optimal balance, it’s critical to keep both units well maintained. Check filters, clear debris, address minor repairs promptly, and have a professional tune-up done before each season. Keeping both systems in sync ensures they can work in tandem to provide superior temperature control, efficiency, and indoor air quality.

As your local heating and cooling experts, we’re here to make sure your heat pump and furnace operate as a cohesive team. Give us a call anytime to optimize the performance of your systems. Stay comfortable year-round while maximizing efficiency. Our comprehensive maintenance plans also help you prevent issues and extend the life of your HVAC investment. Call today to discuss maintenance options or schedule service if your heat pump/furnace combo needs attention. Let us help you get the best performance from your life-sustaining heating and cooling systems.