Aberdeen, NC, might sometimes be known for its unpredictable weather, but a hybrid HVAC system can help you stay prepared in all conditions. Learn how a hybrid HVAC system can help you save energy and utility costs all year round.
Get to Know Hybrid Heat Systems
Some of the most complex yet effective HVAC system components, hybrid systems handle nearly every aspect related to heating and cooling your home. As all-in-one packages, these systems rely on a heat pump for cooling in hot weather as well as for heating on chilly days, and they also include a furnace for heating in particularly cold conditions. Since they incorporate multiple integrated parts into one powerful appliance, Hybrid Heat systems also work well to eliminate the number of unrelated HVAC components that must work together to condition your home.
Chill Out on Hot Days
North Carolina summers can be unbearable without having a cool oasis to retreat to, but that doesn’t mean you need a separate air conditioning unit for your home. Instead, the heat pump component of a hybrid HVAC system cools your home by moving hot air outside and allowing cool air to circulate inside. By relying on a heat pump to keep your home cool, you’ll benefit from the unit’s energy efficiency and save yourself from purchasing yet another single-function unit.
Switch to the Best Heat Source
It may be summer now, but it’s never too early to think about how your system performs during the winter. One of the primary benefits of a hybrid system is its ability to switch back and forth between heat sources, depending on both indoor and outdoor conditions. This feature allows the heat pump to keep your family comfortable on a typical winter day, and it empowers the furnace to turn on when the temperature really drops. While your family might be able to get through a normal North Carolina winter with either a heat pump or a furnace, relying on just one of these appliances can result in energy loss and higher energy bills.
Heat pumps are known for their impressive energy efficiency in mild weather conditions. Since they use electricity to function, day-to-day operation won’t break the bank. Once cold weather sets in, however, heat pumps generally become much less efficient, which can quickly drive your utility bills up dramatically.
In contrast, furnaces usually run on natural gas, which can be costly if it’s your primary source of energy all winter long. By turning on only when necessary, the furnace component of a hybrid HVAC system makes up for lost efficiency without contributing significantly to your utility bills.
Enjoy Higher Energy Efficiency Ratings
Due to its multiple components, a hybrid HVAC system boasts several different energy efficiency ratings. To demonstrate the system’s cooling capabilities, the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) divides the cooling output over the course of a typical cooling season by the electrical input provided during the same time. Many hybrid HVAC systems have SEER ratings of 15 and higher, which is the minimum rating required to earn an Energy Star label.
To measure the efficiency of the heat pump’s heating capabilities, a hybrid HVAC system relies on a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) rating. This number compares the electrical input with the heating output, and many hybrid systems meet or exceed the minimum energy-efficient HSPF rating of 8.2.
To assess furnace efficiency, hybrid HVAC systems depend on an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. Though these systems don’t generally incorporate the most energy-efficient furnaces, their ability to switch from heat pump to furnace in cold weather already provides quantifiable energy savings.
Stay Comfortable With Sustainable Humidity Levels
Even the most powerful HVAC systems can struggle to maintain comfortable humidity levels, which only causes the system to work harder. Unlike many HVAC systems, a hybrid HVAC system benefits from enhanced summer dehumidification capabilities, which means your family will stay cool and dry all summer long. Since the dehumidification component is built in, you won’t have to worry about purchasing expensive additional parts or repairing an overworked system.
Does a hybrid HVAC system sound like the ideal solution for your home? Call our experts today to learn more about your options.
