Hybrid heating systems (furnace, heater, gas, warm)

[JimF1974]

I currently live in NJ and I am building a home in coastal NC. I told the builder I wanted a gas furnace rather than a heat pump. He is recommending a hybrid system. Can anyone tell me the pro's and con's.

[NJGOAT]

A hybrid will be overall more efficient than either individually. A heat pump works most efficiently within a certain temperature band. For instance, most heat pumps only work at max efficiency down to say around 45 degrees. After that point, they lose their efficiency and can't heat the home. Normally at that point an electric heater would kick in to help, but these are terribly inefficient. In a hybrid system they substitute a gas or oil furnace for the electric element.

Heat pumps are real common in more temperate climates like the Carolinas, since average temps remain in the efficient band throughout the year. Basically buying the hybrid would give you the best of both worlds and those types of systems are becoming common even in the NE.

The only drawback to the hybrid would be the initial cost.

[brien51]

I think it depends if you are going to occupy the house all year around or just dring the warmer months. Go with the heat pump if you are going to be there from April through Oct. If you shut it down Nov through March why would you need a back up? If you plan to go during the colder months go with your gas back up.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by JimF1974

I currently live in NJ and I am building a home in coastal NC. I told the builder I wanted a gas furnace rather than a heat pump. He is recommending a hybrid system. Can anyone tell me the pro's and con's.

A hybrid system is a heat pump!
You just have to decide what fuel to use for the emergency backup- electric or gas.
The other things to consider on the h/p- air or geothermal, SEER rating, Manual J calc+Manual D calc, to get to the Manual S calc.