A hybrid heat system reacts to changes in temperature and automatically adjusts to the method available to heat or cool a house. It combines a
furnace with a
heat pump
A heat pump is a device that can heat a building (or part of a building) by transferring thermal energy from the outside using a refrigeration cycle. Many heat pumps can also operate in the opposite direction, cooling the building by removing ...
.
Mechanics
A
heat pump
A heat pump is a device that can heat a building (or part of a building) by transferring thermal energy from the outside using a refrigeration cycle. Many heat pumps can also operate in the opposite direction, cooling the building by removing ...
can be used to both cool or heat a house. The heat pump transfers heat via the transmission of
R-410A refrigerant.
Hybrid heat works with a gas furnace and electric heat pump systems or using a variable-speed fan. Variable-speed fans use
direct-current
Direct current (DC) is one-directional flow of electric charge. An electrochemical cell is a prime example of DC power. Direct current may flow through a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through semiconductors, insulators, or even ...
electronically commutated motors (ECM).
Energy consumption
A heat pump can reduce electricity use by up to 40% by transferring heat instead of making heat with fuel, for example a gas furnace.
Heat Pump Systems
, Energy.gov, Retrieved December 16, 2015
References
{{HVAC, state=collapsed
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
Cooling technology
Heat pumps