Can Heat Pumps be Used in Northern Climates?

If you’re looking for a new comfort system, chances are you’ve heard about the efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly features of heat pumps. Heat pumps have been popular in warm climates for a very long time. But because they absorb heat from the outdoor air and transfer it inside, conventional wisdom indicates that installing them in cold climates is not sensible. This may have you questioning if a heat pump is a good choice for your home in the Northern U.S. or Canada. 

Before going more in-depth, rest assured that modern, cold-weather heat pumps are suitable for northern climates. Over the past decade, the acceptance of heat pump technology has surged in Northern European countries such as Norway and Sweden. With ordinary January temperatures sitting around 20 degrees F, homeowners in these regions obviously need effective heating options. Those who have installed cold-climate heat pumps have found that they fulfill their needs perfectly. 

What Makes Cold-Climate Heat Pumps More Effective at Low Temperatures? 

Heat pump technology used to be unsuitable for cooler climates. As the temperature fell below freezing, these systems were simply unable to capture enough heat to successfully warm a house. But this is no longer accurate. Here are the special features designed for cold-climate heat pumps that allow them to work efficiently at temperatures colder than 0 degrees F. 

• Cold-weather coolants have a lower boiling point versus traditional heat pump refrigerants, allowing them to collect more heat energy from cold air. 

• Multi-stage compressors work at lower speeds in moderate weather and transition to higher speeds in extreme cold. This boosts efficiency in changing weather conditions and keeps the indoor temperature more balanced. 
• Variable-speed fans have multi-stage compressors to supply heated air at the proper rate. 
• The enhanced coil design used in most modern heat pumps includes grooved copper tubing with a bigger surface area, enabling the unit to exchange heat more efficiently. 
• Flash injection creates a shortcut in the refrigerant loop to boost cold-weather heating performance. Efficiency falls off a bit in this mode, but it’s still much better than depending on a backup electric resistance heater. 
• Better motors use less electricity to increase energy savings. 

• Other engineering modifications like reduced ambient flow rates, an increase in compressor capacity and enhanced compression cycle configurations further reduce energy consumption in freezing winter weather. 

Traditional Heating Systems vs. Heat Pumps in Colder Climates 

Heat pump efficiency is measured by its heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF), which demonstrates the total heating output over the heating season divided by the energy consumed during that period. The higher the HSPF, the better the efficiency. 

Starting in 2023, the nationwide minimum efficiency rating for heat pumps will be 8.8 HSPF. Lots of cold-climate heat pumps come with ratings of 10 HSPF or higher, helping them to operate at up to 400% efficiency in moderate weather. In other words, they move four times more energy than they use in the process. 

Performance dips as the temperature drops, but various models are still around 100% efficient in sub-freezing conditions. Compare this to brand-new, high-efficiency furnaces, which max out at about 98% efficiency. 

In terms of actual savings, results can vary. The biggest savers are probably people who heat with common fuels including propane and oil, as well as those who use electric furnaces or electric baseboard heaters. 

That being said, heating with natural gas still is usually less expensive than using a heat pump. The cost difference depends on how severe the winter is, the utility prices in your area, whether your equipment was installed correctly and whether you have solar panels to offset electricity costs. 

Other Factors to Consider 

If you’re looking at transitioning from a traditional furnace, boiler or electric heater to a cold-climate heat pump, consider these additional factors: 

• Design and installation: Cold-weather heat pumps are designed for efficiency, but they should be sized, designed and installed properly to perform at their best. Factors like home insulation levels and the location of the outdoor unit can also reduce system performance. 

• Tax credits: You can save on heat pump installation costs with energy tax credits from the federal government. The tax credit amount for qualifying installations is $300 through the end of 2022. 
• Solar panels: Heat pumps use electricity, so they work well with solar panels. This combination can lower your energy bills even further. 

Start Saving with a Cold-Climate Heat Pump 

Whether you’re replacing an old HVAC system or comparing options for a new property, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you make a cost-effective decision. We’ll assess your home comfort needs, take a look at your budget and suggest the best equipment, which could be a cold-climate heat pump or similar product. To ask questions or schedule a heat pump installation estimate, please contact your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office today.