A dual fuel system is one that uses two different fuel sources interchangeably. Its primary mode of operation is a heat pump, meaning it cools you down in the summer and keeps you warm in the winter (all while using electricity). Its secondary mode of operation is that of a gas furnace, for those times of the summer where you want a little something extra.
That brief summary is probably not enough to really explain why anyone would want a hybrid gas and electric HVAC system. After all, why not just stick to one? Well, you might even decide one isn’t enough if you…
Before replacing your furnace with another furnace, or going straight to a brand-new heat pump system that you’ve heard so many good things about, consider the middle option: the dual fuel system.
Heaters serve as far more than a luxury during our cold winter nights. You need yours to stay warm and comfortable when the temperatures drop, and if trouble arises, it can turn your home into an icebox in a matter of hours. This is problematic for any home in the area, but especially homes with vulnerable family members, such as infants or the elderly. 
Our winter temperatures don’t get as low as they do further east, but cold weather is still fairly common this time of year, and most homeowners will still need their furnaces to run on a daily basis in order to keep their homes comfortable. If you have an older heater and it’s on its last legs, a repair call may need to turn into a heating replacement rather than try to push it further. But how can you tell? What’s the best way to determine if a breakdown in the middle of winter is enough to warrant a new furnace, or if it can keep going with a little work?
Winter will be here this week, and chances are you’re already running your furnace on a daily basis. You need to keep a close eye on the system for signs of trouble. In most cases, there are usually telltale symptoms letting you know that a problem is getting bigger. By taking notice, you can call in a repair technician and get the issue fixed before it causes a sudden breakdown in the middle of a cold spell. And it’s simple enough to pay attention to anything that may be amiss.
Winter is closing in fast, and with temperatures already dropping, chances are you’ve been using your heating system on a regular basis for some time already. If there are any problems with your heating system, now is the time to get them fixed. Doing so means you won’t get caught by surprise when a cold front hits and your heater suffers from a sudden breakdown. It also means you have time to schedule repairs at your leisure, instead of scrambling in the middle of winter.