A dual-fuel heat pump is an electric air-source heat pump that uses an alternative natural fuel source like natural gas, LPG or oil, as an auxiliary or backup heat instead of electric resistance coils. It can be accomplished within a single integrated unit, or pieced together by combining a standard air-source heat pump with a furnace via a controller. The controller will determine which unit to operate based on outside temperature, efficiencies, and relative cost of fuels.
Required Equipment
Electric heat air-source
Automatic fossil-fueled heat source other than wood
Radio Control
Dual Fuel meter
Water Heater
Possible to run through the same Dual Fuel control and rate
Operates at a separate, Off-Peak schedule
Air Conditioning
Possible to run through the same Dual Fuel control and rate
Operates at a separate, "Cycled Air" schedule
Pros
Reduces operating costs compared to single fossil fuel heating systems
Flexible Fuel Choices
Cons
Extra expense of installing 2 separate heat sources
More maintenance costs because of more moving parts