Much like a hybrid automobile combines electric power with a gas engine back-up, a hybrid heating system
combines two types of heating systems into one. A heat pump is used to provide limited heating and all the
air conditioning. A gas or oil furnace is used to provide the back-up heat.
What is the advantage to using a Hybrid System?
The advantage is in the use of the heat pump as the primary heating method. Heat pumps have been
around for a long time and anyone with an older heat pump can tell you that they are limited in function. A
heat pump is very efficient in the 30-60 degree F range. However, below 30 degrees F a heat pump drops
off and in a typical heat pump system an auxiliary electric heat strip kicks in to provide the power needed to
heat the home. This situation leads to higher electric bills.
This is where a 93.5% efficient gas furnace or an 84.5% efficient oil furnace comes in. At this point the
furnace is usually cheaper to operate and provides higher supply air temperatures just when you need it
most.
Is there any disadvantage?
The initial installation cost is higher because two heating systems are combined. However, a significant
payback will occur usually within 5-7 years. Our best equipment has a typical 20 year lifespan so a good
fuel savings will occur throughout the operating life of the equipment.
What are the Efficiency Ratings?
Heat Pumps, the higher the SEER and HSPF numbers the more efficient the unit is:
- 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) / 7.1 HSPF (Heating Seasonal Perfomance Factor)
- 14 SEER / 8.6 HSPF - Available in new R410A non-ozone depleting refrigerant
- 15 SEER / 8.6 HSPF
- 16 SEER / 9.3 HSPF - This is a 2 stage heating unit with R410A
- 18 SEER / 9.6 HSPF
Gas Furnaces are convertible to propane:
- 92 - 93.5% Efficiency
- 2 stage units available
- Variable speed blowers available
Oil Furnaces:
- High boy and low boy models available
- Variable Speed blower units available
- 82.5 - 84.5% efficiency
- All units use Beckett Clean-cut burners for clean operation and reduced maintenance costs
