Can Heat Pumps be Used in Northern Climates

If you’re searching for a new home comfort system, chances are you’ve heard about the efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly features of heat pumps. Heat pumps have been popular in warm climates for decades. But since 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 could have you asking if a heat pump is a better 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. In the last decade, the acceptance of heat pump technology has surged in Northern European countries like Norway and Sweden. With regular January temperatures sitting around 20 degrees F, homeowners in these areas obviously need powerful 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 Efficient at Low Temperatures?

Heat pump technology was once unsuitable for cold climates. As the temperature fell below freezing, these systems were just unable to extract enough heat to effectively warm a house. But this is no longer the case. Here are the special features found in cold-climate heat pumps that permit them to work efficiently at temperatures lower than 0 degrees F.

• Cold-weather coolants have a lower boiling point versus traditional heat pump refrigerants, allowing them to pull more heat energy from cold air.
• Multi-stage compressors work at lower speeds in moderate weather and switch to higher speeds in intense cold. This boosts efficiency in changing weather conditions and keeps the indoor temperature more consistent.
• Variable-speed fans work with multi-stage compressors to deliver heated air at the proper rate.
• The upgraded coil design found in most modern heat pumps includes grooved copper tubing with a larger surface area, helping the unit to transfer heat more efficiently.
• Flash injection opens a shortcut in the refrigerant loop to boost cold-weather heating performance. Efficiency drops a bit in this mode, but it’s still better than depending on a backup electric resistance heater.
• Improved motors use less electricity to increase energy savings.
• Other engineering upgrades such as decreased ambient flow rates, an increase in 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 determined 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. 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 temperate weather. In other words, they move four times more energy than they consume in the process.

Performance drops 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 like 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 installing a heat pump. The cost gap depends on how tough the winter is, the utility prices in your area, whether your heat pump was installed correctly and whether you use solar panels to offset electricity costs.

Other Factors to Consider

If you’re considering 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 built for efficiency, but they need to be sized, designed and installed precisely to perform at their peak. Factors such as home insulation levels and the location of the outdoor unit can also affect system performance.
• Tax credits: You can save on heat pump installation costs with energy tax credits from the U.S. government. The tax credit amount for qualifying installations is $300 until the end of 2022.
• Solar panels: Heat pumps use electricity, so they pair well with solar panels. This combo can reduce 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, Fras-Air/General Service Experts can help you make a cost-effective choice. We’ll evalulate your home comfort needs, go over your budget and point you toward 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 Fras-Air/General Service Experts office today.