Posted: September 16, 2024
There’s a ton of talk about making a transition to all-electric heating and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. And we’re all in favor of helping prevent climate change. But going all-electric isn’t always feasible. A big barrier for many folks thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle is “range anxiety.” That’s the worry that your car battery will run low and you will have no place to charge up. A solution was the hybrid, which lets you run on battery power and switch to gas when you want to.
When it comes to heating a home here in the Northeast, where winter temps can be downright frigid, there can be similar anxiety when it comes to going all-electric. That’s because electric heat, particularly a heat pump, can be a lot less efficient (and less effective) when it’s very cold.
But, as with electric vehicles and hybrids, there’s an option that lets you feel good about your environmental footprint without having to feel the cold. Would you be surprised if we said it was hybrid heat?
The idea is not that complicated: It’s a combination of heating technologies that let you heat your home in the most efficient way, depending on the temperature.
An electric heat pump works by moving existing heat in the air from one place to another using an outdoor compressor and an indoor air handler. In the summer, hot air from inside your home is removed — creating a cooler indoor environment. And, in the winter, it pulls heat from the outdoor air (or ground, if you have a geothermal system) and distributes it to your home.
Because they move heat, rather than generate heat, they use less energy and are highly efficient. But, when temperatures fall below a certain point, usually 25⁰ or 30⁰ F, a heat pump will need to work harder to find warm air, using more electricity.
That’s where a hybrid system kicks in, and your system can switch to a furnace powered by heating oil, propane or natural gas.
The primary benefit of hybrid heat is that it enables you to maximize your efficiency and keep heating costs under control.
Using your electric heat pump when temperatures are more moderate makes you less reliant on heating oil. You’ll use less heating oil, so your supply lasts longer. That can result in significant savings over time.
Most people save enough that their hybrid system pays for itself in just a few years.
If you’re ready to learn more about how a hybrid heating system could help you keep your home more comfortable in the winter, while reducing your carbon footprint, talk to the team at Main-Care Energy. Our employee-owners are happy to answer all your questions and have extensive training and experience in installing, servicing and repairing state-of-the-art hybrid systems in Upstate New York and western Vermont.
We’re here to help, and that includes financing with low fixed interest rates and flexible terms. We also have your back when it comes to maintenance and repairs, with great service plans and 24/7 service. Contact us for more information today.
