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Is a Dual-Fuel HVAC System the Right Choice?

With all of the talk about high efficiency, cost-effective, low carbon footprint energy use today most people have heard about dual-fuel heating systems. If not, a dual fuel heat pump is a system that essentially combines a typical electric heat pump with a high-efficiency gas furnace. Your traditional heating and cooling system consist of a conventional air conditioner and a furnace. A dual-fuel system replaces the traditional AC unit and integrates a heat pump in its place.

What Is a Heat Pump?

diagram explaining how heat pumps workWhile a heat pump looks and acts the same as your traditional A/C, the heat pump is equipped with a reversing valve that allows it to provide both cooled air during the warm and hot months as well as warm air during the cooler and even cold months of the year. One of the main differences between a gas furnace and an electric heat pump is how the heat is produced. In a typical gas furnace, heat is created using energy. Heat pumps are much more efficient because they merely transfer heat from the outside air to inside your home or vice versa. You may be asking yourself how does a heat pump pull heat out of freezing air?

There is latent heat energy in the air outside down to absolute zero or -459° F, and the refrigerant running through your heat pump system can boil at -55° F. Which allows the heat pump to pull that heat from the air outside, compress it within the refrigerant to a much warmer temperature and distribute it throughout the home. This may sound great, and it is. But like most things, a dual-fuel HVAC system has its advantages and disadvantages.

Is a Dual-Fuel Heating System Efficient?

High efficiency is one of the biggest advantages of a dual fuel heat pump. A dual fuel system combines the best of both electric and gas-fueled heating systems. Since the system automatically chooses the more efficient source of heat based on the outside air temperature. This way the homeowner gets the benefit of considerable energy cost savings.

Is a Dual-Fuel Heating System Cost-Effective?

Concept of finance and economy with piggy bankMore than 70% of your heating needs can be satisfied by the electrically driven heat pump, whose efficiency is extremely high. This highly energy-efficient heat pump considerably saves you on energy costs over the long run. A dual fuel heating system is estimated to save the average homeowner anywhere between 30 and 50 percent annually in energy costs. This hybrid heat pump system can pay for itself within three to five years.

Is a Dual-Fuel Heating System Better for the Environment?

Grass on footprint with CO2 written on itA great way to minimize your carbon footprint, a dual fuel heat pump is an environmentally friendly way to heat and cool your home. Since this hybrid heat pump system uses electric heating around 85% of the time, there is no need for gas to constantly fuel your furnace.

Is There More Maintenance With a Dual-Fuel System Than With My Traditional AC and Furnace?

The dual-fuel heat pump system remains in better condition for a longer period since both the electric heat pump and the furnace are combined into one system which makes their maintenance simpler. Regular maintenance is recommended to keep your HVAC system lasting longer and running more efficiently, no matter what system is being used.

What Are Some Disadvantages To Installing a Dual-Fuel Heat Pump?

  • Higher up-front price-The reason is, you’re essentially getting two efficient heating systems in one. Although this initial cost may not be much compared to the energy cost savings over a longer period
  • Additional costs-Upgrading to a dual-fuel system from a single system may require some additional costs. To accommodate the electric heat pump and the furnace of the dual system, you might need to upgrade the existing electrical service, wiring, or gas lines.

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning Is Here 24/7 To Help

Homeowners in Sun Prairie, WI, and the surrounding area trust the Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning team with all their home repair and maintenance needs. They have experienced and knowledgeable techs that will get the job done right the first time. Call today to get help with any questions about your heating system and how you can upgrade today!

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Install a New Heater This Year!

Heaters are important for homes located in cold regions! As the winter season continues to drop in temperature, revealing snow and ice, heaters are a great addition to a home. This year, homeowners should install a new heater!

When Should Heaters Be Replaced?

Sadly, heaters don’t last forever. After a few years and use, heaters begin to fall apart. However, there are some ways homeowners can notice the signs. 

Homeowners should replace heaters using heater replacement services. If there are large leaks or cracks in the heaters, it is time to either replace the heater or contact a heater repair technician. However, homeowners can’t repair heaters because of how expensive they are most of the time.

Another sign is if the heat in a home no longer works. If a homeowner is struggling to heat their home, it may be a problem with their heater system. However, the only way to know is to call a heating company to ask for advice. Sometimes, it is a small fix with the thermostat, but it needs to be replaced if it no longer works.

How to Choose the Right Heaterpros cons

With so many choices, it is hard to choose the right heater! Homeowners should start by researching the types of heaters that exist along with the pros and cons of each system.

The most common and popular heating system is a furnace. The furnace works by pushing hot air throughout a home that has ducts to travel with. The ducts are placed in each room, and the system is powered by electricity. Furnaces used to be powered by coal and fire but have changed drastically.

There are also boilers. Instead of using only electricity, boilers use water and heat to create steam, and the steam then travels and brings heat throughout a home. Boilers are rare in the South and mainly found in Northern cold states that need more heat.

Another heater option is heat pumps. These heat pumps do not use ducts to travel around. Instead, the pumps create heat with electricity. The pumps find cool and warm air that is located outside and push it into a home. This uses the least amount of energy but is harder to repair.

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Always Maintain New Heater Systems

To decrease the chances of a furnace replacement, homeowners should maintain their new heater systems. All systems require some form of maintenance, or it can be dangerous. During the cold months, having a heat source is important, especially if there is the possibility of a storm.

Not only is it dangerous because the new heater may not work, but because without cleaning and maintenance, dust, dirt, mold, and bugs can get stuck in the filter. The things in the filter get blown back into the air, which can make people feel very sick.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning has over 37 years of valuable experience in the Sun Prairie, WI area. They provide same-day services, quality customer care, and affordable pricing to their community! Call them today for all HVAC needs!

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What Tank and Tankless Water Heaters?

A tank model heats a large amount of water to a desired temperature then stores it in the tank for use when the water is needed. Because the hot water is stored in a tank, energy is consumed when there is no immediate demand for hot water. This is great when using hot water for more than one application at a time. However, there is a limited amount of hot water in the storage reserve tank. Once it’s gone it’s gone and needs to be replaced, which takes time. Tankless water heaters don’t hold a reserve of pre-heated water. Instead, they heat water right when showers, sinks, and other appliances call for it. The tankless water heater turns on when hot water is needed, warms to the desired temperature, and then sends it to the correct outlet. Unlike traditional tank water heaters, tankless heaters need to heat the water up on demand, and if more than one person is trying to take a shower at the same time the water could be cooler than desired.

Do the Energy Savings Outweigh the Operational Costs of Tankless Water Heaters?

While tankless water heaters cost more upfront, it’s energy savings or payback period after the initial install pay for themselves back over time. The Department of Energy estimates homeowners save roughly an estimated $100 per year on energy costs. Overall, a tankless water heater saves more energy and has lower operating costs than a traditional tank water heater.

What Is the Lifespan of a Tank Vs. a Tankless Water Heater?

tankless water heaterThere are never any guarantees on how long an actual water heater will last (which is true with any system out there) industry standards for a traditional tank water heater will last on average between 10 to 15 years. Conversely, a tankless water heater can last 20 years with routine maintenance. It’s also important to note that when traditional tank water heaters fail, they often fail to dramatic effect. Which can cause costly water damage. With a tankless water heater, the owner is much more protected against water damage in the event of equipment failure.

What’s the Installation Process Like?

Since a traditional water heater has a large tank there is a much larger space requirement to install it. They are installed somewhere out of sight, usually in a garage, basement, or storage closet. Tankless water heaters are perfect for installation where space is restricted because they are smaller and may be mounted on the wall. It’s also a good idea to have it inspected annually once it’s installed. Getting the system inspected and cleaned on an annual basis helps to reduce unexpected repairs.

Is There a Cost Differences Between Traditional and Tankless Water Heaters?

A tankless water heater usually costs more to install than a traditional tank water heater. The equipment alone is more expensive. If switching from a traditional to a tankless heater the installer needs to do what is called a retrofit to accommodate the newer system. There are some variables that come into play when it comes to the installation of a tankless water heater, but as of the writing of this post, homeowners can expect to pay between $4400 and $4800 for a tankless. All said and done, the tankless water heater will cost more upfront than a tank model. With the current climate of things in the economy, there have been many increases in a very short amount of time for both tank and tankless water heaters. The cost of a tank water heater will also depend on some variables when it comes to the size (40-gallon, 50-gallon, or 75-gallon) and how the tank is heated. Expect to pay in a range of $1700 to $4000 as of the writing of this post.

Leave it To Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

cardinal hvac logoCardinal Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, and Electrical has been in business for close to four decades providing service to the Sun Prairie, WI area and beyond. They employ highly qualified technicians who provide quality service tailored to each individual customer’s needs and budget. Contact them to schedule water heater services today or get a free estimate on any home project!

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