Can Heat Pumps be Used in Northern Climates?

If you’re shopping for a new HVAC system, odds 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 many years. But considering they use heat from the outdoor air and transfer it inside, conventional wisdom indicates that installing them in cold climates is not worth the effort. This might have you wondering if a heat pump is a better choice for your home in the Northern U.S. or Canada. 

Before going into more detail, rest assured that modern, cold-weather heat pumps are suitable for northern climates. Over the last decade, the usage of heat pump technology has soared in Northern European countries like Norway and Sweden. With regular January temperatures sitting around 20 degrees F, homeowners in these regions obviously rely on efficient heating options. Those who have installed cold-climate heat pumps have found that they meet their needs perfectly. 

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

Heat pump technology used to be too weak for cooler climates. As the temperature dropped below freezing, these systems were simply unable to extract enough heat to effectively warm a house. But this is no longer the case. Here are the special features designed for cold-climate heat pumps that allow them to perform efficiently at temperatures below 0 degrees F. 

• Cold-weather coolants have a lower boiling point than traditional heat pump refrigerants, enabling them to draw more heat energy from cold air. 

• Multi-stage compressors run at lower speeds in moderate weather and transition to higher speeds in severe cold. This improves efficiency in dynamic weather conditions and keeps the indoor temperature more consistent. 
• 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 features grooved copper tubing with a greater surface area, helping the unit to transfer heat more efficiently. 
• Flash injection opens up a shortcut in the refrigerant loop to boost cold-weather heating performance. Efficiency falls off a bit in this mode, but it’s still better than depending on a backup electric resistance heater. 
• Improved motors consume less electricity to increase energy savings. 

• Other engineering optimizations like decreased ambient flow rates, greater compressor capacity and improved compression cycle configurations further decrease energy consumption in frigid winter weather. 

Traditional Heating Systems vs. Heat Pumps in Colder Climates 

Heat pump efficiency is calculated 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. 

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

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

In terms of actual savings, results might vary. The biggest savers are likely to be people who heat with delivered fuels like propane and oil, as well as those who use electric furnaces or electric baseboard heaters. 

However, heating with natural gas still is usually less expensive than using a heat pump. The cost gap depends on how harsh the winter is, the utility prices in your area, whether your system was installed correctly and whether you use solar panels to offset electricity costs. 

Other Factors to Consider 

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

• Design and installation: Cold-weather heat pumps are engineered for efficiency, but they should be sized, designed and installed properly to perform at their best. Factors such as home insulation levels and the placement 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 up to the end of 2022. 
• Solar panels: Heat pumps use electricity, so they function 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 existing HVAC system or exploring options for a new property, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you make a cost-effective choice. We’ll review your home comfort needs, go over your budget and recommend the best equipment, which might 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.