Efficient everyday heating
The heat pump covers the mild, damp days that make up most of our winter, using far less energy than resistance heat.
Hybrid heating
Dual Fuel Heat Pump Systems
Let a heat pump handle most of the year and a gas furnace step in when it gets truly cold. Able Pro sets up dual fuel systems that switch over smoothly.
- Heat pump plus gas furnace
- Cooling for summer heat
- Smart changeover control
No heat, no hot water or a gas smell? Call any time, day or night.
DUCTLESS HEAT PUMP · Schematic
- 24/7 emergency service
- Tri-Cities, Burnaby, Surrey, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge
- Clear quote before work starts
- Tidy, respectful work
- Furnaces and boilers
- Air conditioning
- Heat pumps
- Water heaters
- Book online in about a minute
Overview
How a dual fuel heat pump works
A dual fuel heat pump, sometimes called a hybrid system, combines an outdoor heat pump with an indoor gas furnace that share the same ductwork. On a typical rainy winter day the heat pump does the heating on electricity. When the temperature falls below a set point, or when the heat pump can no longer keep up, the thermostat shuts the heat pump off and lights the furnace instead. In summer the heat pump runs in reverse as your air conditioner.
This arrangement makes a lot of sense in Metro Vancouver. Most winter hours sit between about 0 and 10 degrees, where a heat pump is very efficient. Arctic outflow events in places like Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are short but sharp, and a gas furnace delivers strong, hot air through those nights without leaning on electric resistance strips.
Dual fuel is also a practical path if your furnace is still healthy and you want cooling. In many homes we can add a heat pump coil above the existing furnace, provided the furnace blower and controls are compatible. If the furnace is near the end of its life, we can quote a matched pair instead.
Benefits of a dual fuel heat pump
Hybrid heating gives you flexibility that a single fuel cannot.
Strong heat in cold snaps
The furnace takes over when it is bitterly cold, so the house stays warm and the air from the vents feels hot.
Real air conditioning
The same outdoor unit cools the whole house through summer heat waves, using your existing ducts.
Adjustable balance point
We set the switchover temperature to suit your home, your comfort and how energy prices change over time.
Built-in redundancy
If one side needs service, the other can often keep the house heated until the repair is done.
Lower gas use
Running the heat pump for most hours can noticeably reduce your gas consumption and emissions.
Included
What makes a home a good dual fuel candidate
- Existing ducted forced-air heating
- Gas furnace in good condition, or due for replacement
- Ductwork large enough for heat pump airflow
- Room outside for the outdoor unit and its clearances
- Electrical capacity for an outdoor unit circuit
- A thermostat or control board that supports dual fuel
- Interest in summer cooling as well as heating
How it works
Our dual fuel installation process
- 1
Assess the furnace
We check the age, blower type and controls of your furnace to see whether it can pair with a heat pump.
- 2
Calculate the load
A heat loss calculation tells us how big the heat pump should be and where the balance point should sit.
- 3
Install and wire
We add the indoor coil, outdoor unit, refrigerant lines and a dual fuel thermostat or control kit.
- 4
Tune the changeover
We test both heating modes, set the switchover temperature and show you how the system decides which to use.
What Able Pro brings to a hybrid project
Gas and heat pump skills
Our technicians work on both furnaces and heat pumps, so one team handles the whole system.
Written quote first
You know the full scope and cost before we start, with options explained in plain language.
24/7 emergency help
Technicians are on call around the clock if your heat stops in the middle of a cold night.
Clean job site
We protect your floors and leave the mechanical room tidier than we found it.
Questions homeowners ask us
Still unsure? Call (236) 222-2222 and talk it through with us.
At what temperature does the furnace take over?
It depends on your home and preferences. Many systems switch somewhere between about minus 5 and plus 2 degrees, but a tight, well-insulated house with a cold-climate heat pump can stay on the heat pump much longer. We set the balance point during commissioning and can adjust it later.
Can I keep my current furnace?
Often yes, if it is in good shape and has a compatible blower and control board. Older furnaces with single-speed blowers may limit comfort or efficiency. We will tell you honestly whether pairing makes sense or whether a matched replacement is the better call.
Should I go hybrid or fully electric?
Neither is better for everyone. All-electric suits homes moving off gas entirely, while dual fuel suits homes that already have a healthy furnace or face colder weather. We walk through both so you can choose based on comfort, cost and your own goals.
Do rebates cover dual fuel systems?
Some programs have supported hybrid systems and others focus on fully electric heat pumps, and the rules change regularly. We check which current programs your project may qualify for and help with the paperwork, without promising approval.
What maintenance does a hybrid system need?
Both halves need attention. The furnace needs its burner, heat exchanger and venting checked, and the heat pump needs its coils, refrigerant performance and defrost operation tested. A single yearly visit can cover both.
Book your visit
Find out if dual fuel fits your home
Call (236) 222-2222 or book online and we will look at your furnace, ducts and panel.
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