The US residential sector used 17 percent of the total natural gas consumption in the country last year (2018).
Households utilize natural gas to provide heat to their properties, fuel for cooking and hot water for showers and bathtubs.
They also use it to dry clothes, but while natural gas is very effective to warm the house during extremely cold winter days, it cannot be used as a long-term source of energy due to the fact that being a fossil fuel, is a finite resource.
This is why a dual-fuel system could be a better option to keep your house comfortable during the cold winter months. Aside from being an efficient warming system, there are numerous benefits to installing a dual-fuel heating system at home.
Advantages of Dual-Fuel Heat Pumps
Being a modern heating system that works fine even in the coldest months of the year, a dual-fuel heat pump has many advantages over conventional heat pumps.
1. Provides Warmth During The Freezing Cold Weather
American homes have been using conventional heat pumps for decades. But those living in North American cities cannot benefit from conventional heating because it will not work properly in subfreezing temperatures.
In early 2019, the temperatures in areas like Bismarck, North Dakota dropped to -31°F (-35°C).
This is the kind of weather that traditional heat pumps cannot sustain, so all homes using conventional heat pumps in these areas have used wood or other fuel to keep the building home and cozy.
To keep yourself and your family warm during the very cold winter months, you may need to install a dual-fuel generator in your property. It uses a system that incorporates a heat pump and natural gas furnace for a more effective heating unit.
Further, dual-fuel heat pump systems utilize a mixture of electricity and natural gas. During the more manageable winter days, the generator will only use the electricity-powered heat pump to give warmth indoors.
But when the outdoor temperatures begin to drop way below freezing, the electric heat pump will no longer be as efficient.
In this setting, the backup furnace that uses natural gas will be turned on automatically to provide the needed warmth for heating the home.
2. Longevity And Cost-Efficiency
Since this type of generator uses a hybrid system, it does not have to over-exert its components. It can easily shift from its natural gas component to its traditional heat pump component whenever the need arises.
Because of this, the generator can be easily maintained and will last much longer than traditional heat pumps.
In addition, using a hybrid system to generate heat inside your property during the cold winter months, can help cut down on your electricity costs.
Homeowners won’t need to pay as much on electric bills since the heating system won’t be running all year long.
A dual-fuel heat pump system may cost a lot upon purchasing the unit, but its long-term benefits can make up for your the extra amount that you need to pay compared to conventional heat pumps.
Conclusion
Nowadays, dual-fuel heating systems are starting to gain popularity for a lot of reasons. But the most important of these is their capacity to provide the heat that you need during the coldest winter months, which is why every cent that you spend will be worth it.
