If you’re looking for a new comfort system, it’s likely that you’ve heard about the efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly features of heat pumps. Heat pumps have been sought after in warm climates for decades. But considering they absorb heat from the outdoor air and transfer it inside, conventional wisdom recommends that installing them in cold climates is not practical. This could have you asking if a heat pump is the right 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 acceptable for northern climates. Over the past decade, the adoption of heat pump technology has soared in Northern European countries such as Norway and Sweden. With standard January temperatures hovering around 20 degrees F, homeowners in these areas obviously need effective heating options. Those who have installed cold-climate heat pumps have been delighted to discover that they meet their needs perfectly.
What Makes Cold-Climate Heat Pumps More Efficient at Low Temperatures?
Heat pump technology was previously unsuitable for temperate climates. As the temperature fell below freezing, these systems were unfortunately unable to extract enough heat to successfully warm a house. But this is no longer the case. Here are the innovative features used in cold-climate heat pumps that allow them to perform efficiently at temperatures colder than 0 degrees F.
- Cold-weather refrigerants have a lower boiling point compared to traditional heat pump refrigerants, enabling them to collect more heat energy from cold air.
- Multi-stage compressors run at lower speeds in mild weather and increase to higher speeds in severe cold. This increases efficiency in dynamic weather conditions and keeps the indoor temperature more balanced.
- Variable-speed fans work with multi-stage compressors to deliver heated air at the proper rate.
- The improved coil design used in most modern heat pumps is designed with grooved copper tubing with a greater surface area, allowing the unit to transfer heat more efficiently.
- Flash injection creates a shortcut in the refrigerant loop to increase cold-weather heating performance. Efficiency falls off a bit in this mode, but it’s still superior to depending on a backup electric resistance heater.
- More powerful motors consume less electricity to increase energy savings.
- Other engineering modifications such as decreased ambient flow rates, an increase in compressor capacity and enhanced compression cycle configurations further lower energy consumption in freezing winter weather.
Traditional Heating Systems vs. Heat Pumps in Colder Climates
Heat pump efficiency is determined by its heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF), which illustrates the total heating output during the heating season divided by the energy consumed for that period. The higher the HSPF, the better the efficiency.
Beginning in 2023, the national 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 temperate weather. In other words, they move four times more energy than they consume in the process.
Performance dips as the temperature drops, but many 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 combustible 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 tends to be less expensive than running a heat pump. The cost variation depends on how severe the winter is, the utility costs in your area, whether your system 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, remember these other factors:
- Design and installation: Cold-weather heat pumps are engineered for efficiency, but they should be sized, designed and installed correctly to perform at their peak. Factors like home insulation levels and the location of the outdoor unit can also impact 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 through the end of 2022.
- Solar panels: Heat pumps run on electricity, so they function well with solar panels. This collaboration can lower your energy bills even further.
Start Saving with a Cold-Climate Heat Pump
Whether you’re replacing a current HVAC system or exploring options for a new property, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help you make a cost-effective choice. We’ll review your home comfort needs, take a look at your budget and point you toward the best equipment, which might be a cold-climate heat pump or another kind of system. To ask questions or schedule a heat pump installation estimate, please contact your local Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning office today.