Residential Dual Fuel Heat Pump Systems
A dual-fuel heat pump system (also called a hybrid heating system) looks the same as a conventional furnace and A/C system. The difference is that, in a dual-fuel system, the A/C unit is “upgraded” to an air-source heat pump (ASHP). The ASHP provides both cooling and heating. It is used for heating in milder outdoor conditions, and/or during off-peak time-of-use, when it is more efficient and cost-effective than a furnace. In Ontario and other jurisdictions, this can result in lower utility costs and significantly lower carbon emissions. STEP is involved in different initiatives to promote the deployment of dual-fuel systems, including equipment evaluations at the Archetype Sustainable House Lab, business case assessments, and case studies of real-world installs at partner sites.