Dual Fuel

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

Source: Online-Access, Inc.