TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - U.S. energy experts say home heating costs are going up this year – by double digits for those using natural gas and heating oil. Many homeowners who want to stay toasty without breaking the bank invest in hybrid furnaces or dual-fuel heat systems. Could this be your best option? We take a look in today’s Angie’s List report.
We all like to keep warm during winter, but we don’t like seeing those high heating bills month after month. A hybrid furnace – one that uses an electric heat pump in conjunction with a gas furnace – costs a little more than a standard H-V-A-C system, but will pay for itself over time by operating more efficiently and lowering those monthly bills.
The system is designed to use the heat pump until temperatures fall enough to have the furnace kick in… great for moderate climates, but not if it stays below freezing for months on end.
If you are thinking of going to a dual-fuel system, you may be able to do it in pieces – just adding the heat pump to a furnace that’s still in good shape.
Angie says to expect a hybrid system to cost about 10-to-15 percent more than a conventional system, but a federal tax rebate is still available through the end of the year. Most systems carry a 10-year warranty, but can easily last twice that long if properly maintained.
