Is a Dual Fuel Heating System Right For You?

A dual fuel heating system, as the name indicates, uses two fuel sources to heat up or cool down your home. With energy consumption going through the roof in winter, is it an ideal choice for homeowners in Ontario? 

As intimidating as it may sound, the dual fuel heating system provides an efficient and effective way to keep your home toasty throughout the winter. This blog post dives into the dual fuel system, how it works, its benefits, and whether you should invest in one or not.

What is a Dual Fuel Heating System?

Also known as the hybrid heating system, a dual fuel heating system combines primary and secondary heat sources—an electric heat pump and a boiler or gas furnace, respectively—to make indoor homes comfortable year-round.

A dual fuel heating system comprises major parts including the heat pump, the furnace, the thermostat, and auxiliary components. These work together to make a dual heating system work efficiently and save energy costs.

How Does a Dual Fuel Heating System Work?

Now that we can name the components, let’s find out how these come together to lower costs, improve energy efficiency, and ensure peace of mind.

Heat Pump

The heat pump is the center of a dual fuel heating system. It operates on electricity and pulls in heat from outside air to keep the inside of your home warm.

 It works all year but in different capacities. In summer, the dual fuel heat pump acts as an air conditioner by reversing its role and pulling the warm air from inside the house to outside, bringing down the indoor temperatures.

Learn more: The Ultimate Heat Pump Buying Guide for Homeowners

Furnace

The heat pump struggles to maintain efficiency when the outdoor temperatures fall below zero. This is when the secondary heat source, the furnace comes into play. The furnace usually uses oil, propane, and natural gas as fuel to generate heat only when required. The smart transition between the electric heat pump and gas-powered furnace keeps the energy usage at optimal levels to produce heat and constantly maintains a comfortable temperature.

Learn more: The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Furnace for Homeowners

Thermostat

The integral thermostat brings both components together, allowing them to communicate to maintain optimal temperature levels. To maximize efficiency, the thermostat switches off the heat pump in extremely cold weather and engages the furnace. The switchover point is usually 2℃. Modern-day thermostats come with Wi-Fi connectivity and even allow homeowners to control temperatures remotely.

Auxiliary Components

Air handlers and coils are responsible for circulating the warm air throughout your abode. The air handler keeps track of the air temperature and ensures equal distribution around the house when it’s sufficiently heated or cooled. Coils help the heat transfer process.

Properly designed ductwork minimizes energy loss by preventing any air escape from the point of production to distribution. The dual fuel HVAC filters also keep the circulating air fresh and clean. Proper maintenance of the air filters is necessary to ensure healthy air quality.

Learn more: Best Indoor Air Quality Monitors 2025

Image source: Canva

Benefits of a Dual Fuel Heating System

The heat pump and furnace combo ensures your HVAC system performs optimally and consumes energy only when required. This mechanism yields several benefits that might help you make the right decision.

Cost Efficiency

Because the system mostly relies on a heat pump to bring in hot air from outdoors, it uses the propane furnace only when required. This allows Ontarians to enjoy increased cost savings on utility bills. 

Energy Efficiency

The automatically switching thermostat creates an energy-efficient heating system, allowing you to save energy by using outdoor air whenever possible.

Round-The-Year Comfort

The dual fuel flexible systems ensure that you enjoy desired temperatures year round. You don’t need to manually switch to and from sources in cooler months and during higher temperatures.

Eco-Friendliness

Enjoy eco-friendliness without compromising on year-round comfort. Instead of burning fossil fuels, the system uses clean energy such as electricity and propane to produce heat.

Reliability

The dual fuel heating system relies on dual energy sources to address your comfort concerns. No more heating interruptions.

Image Source: Canva

Factors to Consider Before Choosing The Dual Fuel Heating System

There’s no need to compromise on your indoor comfort anymore. Easily choose the heating system that makes the most sense. Here are some factors that homeowners should consider to make an informed decision.

Assessing Your Needs

Although nobody knows your home environment better than you, you might require an HVAC professional to assess your home load. They consider the temperatures you like, the number of family members in your home, the average consumption in summer and winter months, and other factors to give a tailored recommendation.

Regular Maintenance

As with other HVAC systems, your dual fuel heating system will require regular maintenance. You can make the most of LG Home Comfort’s maintenance plan to enjoy long-term savings.

Remote Control

Integrating a smart thermostat is your choice. Doing so allows homeowners to set the temperatures remotely, reducing the burden on heating and cooling systems.

Rebates

Homeowners may qualify for rebates on their electric bills, depending on state regulations. Installing an energy-efficient dual fuel heating system may automatically qualify you for tax credits. 

Proper Ventilation due to Natural Gas Usage

If your dual fuel heat pump uses natural gas or propane, you need to ensure proper ventilation to avoid potential hazards.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a heat pump and furnace work together?

The thermostat makes the heat pump and furnace work together. When the outdoor temperatures drop, it engages the backup furnace to provide additional warmth but relies on the traditional heat pump to handle milder temperatures.

Optimize Energy Savings with Dual Heating Systems

Installing a dual fuel heating system is worth the initial investment. The upfront costs may seem a bit on the higher side, but this cost-effective system lowers energy usage, brings down utility bills, and maintains comfortable indoor temperatures year-round.

Most homeowners dread the maintenance, but you can enroll in a heat pump maintenance program by LG Home Comfort to enjoy trusted maintenance and repair services. Increase energy efficiency, prevent costly repairs, and improve indoor air quality with regular maintenance services from HVAC experts you can trust. Our 360° home comfort services are designed to provide homeowners with the peace of mind they deserve. 

Start saving energy today with a dual fuel furnace and heat pump. Contact us today for a free quote and assessment!