Heat pumps provide an efficient heating and cooling solution for homes in every climate, from the tropics to the arctic. Of course, it should come as no surprise that there are different designs of heat pumps for different climates. Cold climate heat pumps are designed to provide superior performance for homes in regions that get very cold in the winter.
If you’re looking for a home HVAC solution that is energy-efficient, tidily compact, and works in the depths of snowy winter, you’ve found it. Let’s talk about cold-climate heat pumps.
What are Cold Climate Heat Pumps
Cold climate heat pumps increase the natural efficiency of heat pumps to allow effective home heating down to -20°F. This means that a heat pump HVAC system does not need to be paired with an additional heating unit to keep your family warm during the coldest part of winter. There are two different types of cold climate heat pumps available: variable-speed air source heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps.
Air Source: Variable Speed Heat Pumps
A recent innovation in heat pump technology introduces variable speed compressors, allowing the heat pump to provide moderate to intense cooling or heating depending on the weather. This replaces the all-on/all-off methods of previous heat pumps (and AC/heaters) and includes a high-powered mode for the deep of winter when an air source heat pump must work harder to bring heat into the home.
The variable speed also saves electricity and money throughout the year by adapting the energy use to the amount of heating or cooling needed in the current weather.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal heat pumps transfer heat from a temperature-stable point ten feet below the ground. The ground is always capable of both accepting and releasing heat, ensuring an extremely efficient source of heat in a cold climate in winter and cold during a hot summer. These systems tend to be much more expensive to install than air source heat pumps.
The Benefits of Cold Climate Heat Pumps
Cold climate heat pumps perform more reliably at very cold temperatures compared to heat pumps designed for warm or temperate climates. They also eliminate the need for a hybrid heat pump system with an additional heating system, performing efficiently to 20 below zero.
- Peace of Mind – Having an HVAC system that can keep your home within comfortable temperatures all year, in the depth of winter and heat of summer, allows you to relax.
- Energy Saving – Cold climate heat pumps are the most energy-efficient design in the heat pump family of products due to the variable speed compressor, allowing you to significantly reduce the electricity needed to heat and cool your home.
- Space Saving – A cold climate heat pump means you don’t need space for an additional furnace or electric heater.
- Cost Saving – The cost savings on electricity from efficient heating and cooling can be significant every year.
- Eco-Friendly – Cold climate heat pumps achieve 200%-400% efficiency from energy to heat, and there’s no need to burn fossil fuels to keep warm.
Are Cold Climate Heat Pumps Only for Cold Climates?
Cold climate heat pumps aren’t just for homes in cold climates. The variable compressor speed technology was invented to help heat pumps perform better in very cold weather, but the technology is highly efficient in every climate and season. This is because the variable speed allows you to save money on heating and cooling efficiently based on the current temperature.
Geothermal heat pumps are also universally useful if you have the right kind of land to build one.
Find Your Ideal Cold Climate Heat Pump at the Heat Pump Store
Are you interested in a cold climate heat pump? The experts at the Heat Pump Store are here to help. We will guide you toward the best heat pump for your climate and home configuration. You’ll soon be enjoying reliable and energy-efficient heating and cooling all year long. Contact us to get started.
