Dual Fuel Answer Man


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“Hi!...I'm The Climatemakers Dual Fuel Answer Man” For over half a century I've been answering people's questions about heating and air conditioning. Recently I’ve rec’d a sharp increase in the number of questions related to how to reduce heating costs…especially the feasibility of using a dual fuels system…thus this page. If after reading it, you have any questions about this or any other questions about your HVAC system, send them to me by clicking here.

Before we can talk intelligently about a dual fuel system, we should first define what a dual fuel system is. Simply stated, a dual fuel system is the installation of a gas or oil furnace that has been combined with a heat pump. And before we continue, let’s be sure we understand what a heat pump is, as some people still have difficulty understanding just how a heat pump works…how an air conditioner can provide heat.

The simplest definition of heat pump that I know is to say that in the heating mode, a heat pump is a reverse air conditioner. In the summer, a heat pump or an air conditioner, extracts heat from within your house and discharges it outside, thereby leaving the air within the structure, cooler. In the winter, by reversing the flow of refrigerant and it’s process, it extracts heat from outside of the house and brings it inside where it is discharged through ductwork.

How can it do that? Well all air has heat in it. If you take 70 degree air and remove 10 degrees of heat from it, you now have 60 degree air. That’s what a heat pump does. Through reverse refrigeration, a heat pump can extract heat from the outside air by extracting (compressing) it into the refrigerant via the compressor and it can do this more efficiently and cleaner than any other type of system…that is, until the outside temperature gets to about 32 degrees.

The follow up question then must be “What is the advantage of a Dual Fuel System?

Well, notice the reference to the outside temperature. While no other system operates more efficiently and cost effectively for heating than a heat pump within certain temperature ranges; a heat pump's capacity decreases when the outside temperature falls below 32 degrees and it typically has to use electric strip heat to provide the supplementary heat needed at these times.

By combining the efficiency of a heat pump during it's peak operating efficiency with an ultra high efficiency gas furnace, oil furnace or boiler for the times when it is less efficient, a Dual Fuel System provides the maximum efficiency, payback and comfort level of all fuels and systems available.

Because electric rates are regulated and constantly monitored by a State Regulating Authority, they are far more stable and are not expected to increase as much as that already being experienced in gas and oil prices this year. This makes the heat pump even more attractive than normal.

Who is installing dual fuel heating systems? The first group are customers who already have furnaces and boilers in their homes and whose central air conditioners need replacing. When their air conditioner goes bad, some consumers are upgrading with a heat pump to work in conjunction with their existing furnace or boiler heating system. This gives them the advantage of a new air conditioner for better cooling comfort and a heat pump (they are the same unit), which can be used most efficiently on those days when the temperature is above 32 degrees.

The second and largest group of homeowners interested in dual fuel systems are those that have watched oil prices rocket to record highs these past months, and which are predicted to rise even higher this winter…people who have read various consumer reports like the Energy Department report last Wednesday that stated “ Winter heating bills will be a third to a half higher for most families across the country, with the sharpest increases expected for those who heat with natural gas, the Energy Department forecast Wednesday.

The Department said natural gas users can expect to pay an average of $350 more during the upcoming winter compared to last year, an increase of 48 percent. Those who heat their homes with fuel oil will pay $378 more, or 32 percent higher than last winter.

How do I benefit? If you have an oil or gas system, you can benefit by adding an electric system (heat pump). If you presently have an electric system (heat pump) you can still benefit by adding oil or natural gas. Dual Fuel heating enables you to add a second heating system to your current system and gives you the appealing alternative to the roller coaster pricing of fuel oil and most gas heating systems because Dual Fuel rates are most likely to remain stable year round.

WITHOUT OBLIGATION, OF COURSE, our experienced representative is available to provide you with answers to any additional questions you may have…including (1) the feasibility of installing a dual fuel system in your home and (2) an estimated cost. Simply click here.

For some things to look for when consulting a HVAC Contractor click here.

For answers to some of the most "Frequently Asked Questions" click here.

To see the benefits and additional advantages that accrue from Annual Preventative Maintenance For Cooling Systems, click here.

To order a Pre-Season Checkup of your cooling system, to assure safety and economy of operation including Special Web Site Discounts, click here.

To see the benefits and additional advantages that accrue from Annual Preventative Maintenance for Heating Systems, click here.

To order a Pre-Season Checkup of your heating system, to assure safety and economy of operation including Special Web Site Discounts, click here.

To schedule a service call other than pre-season check-up on your Heat Pump System, click here.

To schedule a Sales Appointment, click here.

For specifications of Lennox High Efficiency Cooling Systems, and Heat Pumps, click below.

Air Conditioner Heat Pump

By the way, if you have any questions about Air Conditioning call my TWIN brother at Ask The Cooling Answer Man, just click here.