If your home has a heat pump and an oil furnace or boiler, you’ve got a smart setup. On milder winter days, the heat pump can handle steady, comfortable heating. Then, when there’s a cold snap, oil heat can step in as a strong, reliable backup.
The goal is to find your home’s “balance point” — the outdoor temperature where you prefer to switch from heat pump to oil (or where you want oil to help more).
Why your home can feel cooler on a heat pump (even when it’s working)
Heat pumps typically provide gentle, steady warmth. The air coming from vents may feel “warm-ish,” not hot. That’s normal.
Oil heat, on the other hand, often delivers hotter air (or hotter water in radiators/baseboards) and can bring the temperature up faster when you need a quick recovery—like after coming in from outside, after a nighttime setback, or when the wind is howling.
That’s why oil is often the best cold-snap backup heat in a hybrid home.
How to pick a switchover temperature (simple, no math)
Instead of trying to find a perfect number, use this practical approach:
1) Start with a reasonable switchover setting.
Many homeowners choose to let the heat pump run most of the time, and switch to oil when it’s well below freezing or when comfort starts to drop. If your thermostat allows it, pick a starting point and try it for a few cold days.
2) Let comfort be the deciding factor.
Switch to oil sooner if you notice:
- certain rooms getting chilly (especially bedrooms or corners)
- the heat pump running constantly but the home still feels cool
- the house takes too long to warm back up after a door opens
- drafts feel worse during windy weather
3) Adjust in small steps.
Move the switchover point a little at a time and give it a few days. The “right” setting is the one that keeps your home comfortable without the system struggling.
Thermostat tips that can work especially well
Keep it steady—avoid big swings. Heat pumps generally do best when they maintain a consistent temperature.
A simple, sensible strategy many people like is:
- Around 18°C during the day
- A bit lower at night while you sleep
If your home is older or drafty, you may prefer keeping it a touch warmer to stay comfortable and protect plumbing in colder areas.
We recommend that you do NOT turn your oil heat completely OFF during the winter.
During cold snaps, we see a significant increase in service calls from customers who let their indoor temperature drop too low before turning their oil heat back on. The risk is that pipes, zone valves, or other components can freeze before the heating system has a chance to recover. Once that happens, the system may not start at all, leading to no heat, emergency service calls, and the possibility of costly repairs.
When oil heat makes the most sense
Oil heat is often the better choice when:
- temperatures drop for a long stretch and the heat pump can’t keep up
- you want the house warmed quickly
- you simply prefer the feel of warmer supply heat during cold snaps
Need a hand setting things up?
If you’re unsure how to set your thermostat for a heat pump + oil combination, give us a call—our team can help you think through the best “comfort-first” settings for your home.