Definition
A dual-fuel system, or hybrid heat pump, pairs an electric heat pump with a gas furnace sharing the same ductwork and controls. The heat pump handles heating in milder weather and all cooling; below a set switchover temperature, the controls shut the heat pump off and run the furnace instead. The two heat sources normally do not run together.
Also called: Dual-fuel system, Hybrid heat pump
Why it matters to you
Many SW Washington homes already have a working gas furnace, and a dual-fuel setup lets the heat pump carry the long mild stretch of the heating season while the furnace takes the hard-freeze nights. It is a common middle path for households not ready to give up gas entirely.
Practical guidance
Ask your installer what switchover temperature they will set and why, since it shapes how often the furnace runs. Thermostat configuration and gas-side work are licensed-technician tasks; keeping CO alarms working is still the homeowner's job with any gas furnace.
About this definition
Written by the Home Energy Group team — a family-owned HVAC company celebrating 25 years of comfort & care across SW Washington and the Portland metro, licensed in Washington (WA LIC# HOMEEGI003J7) and Oregon (OR CCB# 184255). Definitions inform; an on-site diagnosis decides.
