Dual Fuel Heat Pumps vs. Minisplit Models: Differences and Benefits

As the world shifts decidedly towards more efficient sources of energy, homeowners are making a big switch away from traditional furnaces and air conditioners in favor of high efficiency heat pumps. This relatively recent trend in consumer sentiment is due to both new technologies and new configurations that allow heat pumps to migrate north, away from more mild climates and towards climates where brutal winters are a fact of life. Their efficient nature helps consumers lower their utility costs, as well as their carbon footprint. That’s great for the environment as well as their pocketbooks.

Often, homeowners approach a transition without knowing much about their options. For those considering a heat pump instead of a traditional HVAC setup, there are two key systems to know, and a few decisions to be made before buying.

The Dual Fuel Heat Pump: Perfect for Ducted Homes in Any Climate

The traditional heat pump setup is one that has always been used in mild climates, especially those in the southern half of the United States. Until recently, these pumps worked in a way that was simply not viable for harsher winter climates. They were unable to successfully heat a home during longer cold spells, and would often leave homeowners scrambling for items like space heaters that cost additional money.

A dual fuel heat pump is a different setup, however, and it’s one that can be used in climates both warm and extremely cold. The unit itself looks much like an air conditioning unit and, in the summer, that’s exactly how it will function. During the colder months, however, the heat pump will efficiently warm a home using one of two methods. On days when the temperature is 35F or higher, the pump will pull in warm air from the outdoors and use it to heat the home. This is more efficient and effective than using a traditional furnace, and is the primary way that homeowners will save money when using a dual fuel model.

On colder days, the dual fuel heat pump will fire up the traditional furnace and use that furnace to warm cold air from the outside, as well as air from inside the home. Because of the 35-degree threshold, even many “less cold” climates will significantly benefit from energy and cost savings.

Choosing a Minisplit System: When It’s Appropriate for Use

The minisplit heat pump is generally intended for homes that do not use a system of ducts to deliver heat throughout each room. This often includes older homes with water-heated radiator systems and more antiquated methods of heating. Because installing ductwork can be very hard to do in such environments, the minisplit heat pump actually plugs into an existing zonal heating system and uses the radiators to heat the home.

Traditionally, homes with zoned heading required water to be boiled by a furnace and then distributed through the home to deliver heat. With a minisplit heat pump, this method is made obsolete. Just like traditional heat pump systems, warm air is pulled from the outside and delivered to the home in a very efficient and cost-effective way. Because of the heat pump’s limitations, this system is perfect for homes that reside in mild or slightly cool winter climate zones.

Two Great Systems for an Era of Green Technology

Both the dual fuel and minisplit heat pump models present new ways of thinking about traditional heating systems. Each model has a large number of uses, and serves a unique market, with more efficient energy. That saves money, reduces the carbon footprint of the home, and contributes to a growing sense of climate responsibility and preservation.