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With the moderate winters in Nacogdoches, TX, a traditional furnace system could be costing you more than you realize. Single-speed furnaces heat by running at full capacity no matter what the outdoor temperature is. Newer hybrid units operate more efficiently. Utilizing both a heat pump and a furnace, these heating systems detect outdoor conditions and adjust according to your home’s heating demand. You can save a bundle on your heating systems in Nacogdoches, TX by using a dual-fuel hybrid unit by Carrier.

How Duel Fuel Hybrid Heating Systems Work?

The dual-fuel hybrid system is ultra-smart. It works much like a traditional split system, except that it is comprised of both a heat pump and a furnace. Other components of the system include the duct work, evaporator coil, thermostat, and any optional additions. The heat pump operates on electricity and the furnace is usually gas or oil, hence the duel fuel name.

During moderately cold temperatures, the heat pump provides warm air in the home. If the temperature drops below the unit’s operating capacity, the furnace will turn on. At McWilliams Heating, Cooling and Plumbing, we frequently recommend that people who are concerned about upfront equipment costs consider investing in a high-efficiency heat pump and a lower-efficiency furnace. This will allow you to realize savings on both the initial purchase price and on future utility bills.

Another bonus to this type of system is that the heat pump does double duty as an air conditioner as well. In fact, it is actually more like an air conditioner with a reverse button. The magic happens because a heat pump is an air exchanger. It doesn’t heat or cool. It exchanges warm air for cool air and vice versa. Variable speed models also provide superior dehumidifying during summer months.

Measuring The Efficiency of Heating Systems in Nacogdoches, TX

Energy efficiency measurements come in a myriad of acronyms. The most important ones are SEER, AFUE, COP, HSPF, and EER. It tells you how much energy to can expect to save.

• SEER: The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating is found on most air conditioners and heat pumps. The higher the number, the greater the efficiency. Industry standards require that newly manufactured equipment have a minimum rating of 13. Older units carry an upward rating of about eight. Some of the equipment sold by Carrier today have a SEER of 20.
• AFUE: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency is expressed as a percentage It tells you what percentage of your fuel is being burned and how much is lost through ventilation. For example, a furnace with an AFUE of 80 percent wastes approximately 20 percent of its fuel. Newer furnaces carry a rating of up to 98 percent.
• HSPF: The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor measures a heat pump’s efficiency while in heating mode. The range of values are between 7.7 and 13.
• COP / EER: The Coefficient of Performance and Energy Efficiency Rating apply mostly to geothermal units. As with the others, higher numbers mean greater efficiency.

Maximizing Your Savings On Heating Systems

An older furnace with an average AFUE of 65 percent wastes a lot of fuel, which can drastically elevate your bill. In a situation like this, you would be saving 35 percent of your fuel cost by replacing it with a modern unit. It shouldn’t take you long to figure out that this much savings will add up quickly.

As an example of how much you can save on average in Nacogdoches, TX, residents who purchase a hybrid system will pocket an extra $700 annually from utility costs. This is based on a 2000-square-foot home. As you can see, a new hybrid system will pay for itself in just a few short years. Keep in mind that this amount will vary depending on insulation, ductwork, and individual SEER value.

As mentioned earlier, you can pair a high-efficiency heat pump with a less-efficient furnace. The savings from this alone may be enough to justify buying much higher-quality equipment. Don’t forget to ask about additional cash rebates and other incentives that lower the upfront expenses. If you are considering a geothermal system, you will qualify for a 30 percent tax credit. A simple rule of thumb is to buy the most efficient system that you can afford in order to save the most on monthly operating costs.