Understanding Heat Pumps
Maximize Comfort and Savings with a Hybrid Heating System in Michigan
If you live in Michigan, you know how unpredictable the weather can be. From freezing winters to hot, humid summers, keeping your home comfortable takes the right combination of equipment and smart planning. That’s where a hybrid heating system can make a real difference.
What is a Hybrid Heating System?
A hybrid heating system, also called a dual fuel system, pairs a heat pump with a traditional gas furnace. This combination gives you the best of both technologies, helping you stay comfortable in every season while managing energy costs.
In the summer, the heat pump works like a high-efficiency air conditioner. During the spring, fall, and milder winter days, the heat pump provides heat by pulling warmth from the outdoor air and transferring it indoors. When temperatures drop too low for the heat pump to operate efficiently — typically below 32°F — your gas furnace automatically takes over to ensure your home stays warm.
Why This Matters in Michigan
Michigan’s energy costs continue to climb year after year. In Metro Detroit as of 2025, homeowners are paying around $1.15 per therm for natural gas and about 19 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity.
Here’s how that impacts your heating costs:
- During mild weather (40–60°F), a heat pump uses electricity efficiently, providing up to three units of heat for every unit of energy used. That means you’re effectively heating your home for the equivalent of 7–10 cents per unit of heat, compared to over 45 cents per unit with natural gas during the same period.
- In the coldest months, your gas furnace takes over. While gas prices can fluctuate, running your heat pump when possible helps reduce your gas usage overall and provides more stable energy costs throughout the year.
- In summer, the heat pump keeps your home cool just like a high-efficiency central air conditioner, offering year-round value from a single system.
Real Savings Over Time
While no heating system can completely eliminate costs — especially during Michigan’s harshest winters — a hybrid system helps you use less energy when you can and rely on fuel only when you have to. Over the course of a year, this can add up to meaningful savings, especially as energy prices continue to rise.
Smarter Comfort, Better Efficiency
Your home’s energy efficiency depends on more than equipment alone. Factors like your home’s design, insulation, and even your daily habits all play a role.
That’s why at Eric Dale Heating and Air Conditioning, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Our experienced comfort designers take time to understand your home and your needs, providing detailed analysis and precise load calculations to recommend systems that deliver the right balance of efficiency, performance, and long-term value.
Helping You Get More from Your System
We also help you explore available manufacturer rebates and promotions to make upgrading even more affordable. While energy programs change, we stay current so you don’t have to. Our goal is to make your investment in a better system easy, transparent, and worthwhile.
The Name Homeowners Trust
When it comes to keeping your home comfortable through Michigan’s changing seasons, Eric Dale Heating and Air Conditioning is the name homeowners trust for quality equipment, expert installation, and honest service.
If you’re wondering whether a hybrid heat pump system is right for your home, we’re happy to answer your questions, explain your options, and provide a free estimate.