Heat Pump Operation

[igotjam]

Is there any way to turn the heat pump on without also having the furnace on?
Last night it was cool so I tried to run the heat pump. I have no directions or manuals for the operation of the thermostat, heat pump, A/C or furnace.
The thermostat has a seperate mode for the heat pump and the furnace but they are somehow linked. If you set a temp for the heat pump it automatically sets the same temp on the furnance. Same if you set a temp for the furnace it sets the heat pump the same. I wanted to set the heat pump at 70 and the furnace at 68 so if the pump couldn't keep it warm the furnace would kick in. I can't do it.
Seems like a waste to have a heat pump if it only works when the furnace is on? What am I missing?