Do Heat Pumps Work in Colder Climates?
Heating and cooling our spaces are some of the most critical factors in homeownership, but the resources on how to do it are lacking. Are we out of luck if we don’t have air conditioning or access to a heater? Or are warm blankets or ceiling fans all that we have to rely on? Fortunately, the answer is no! There are plenty of different ways to regulate the temperature in your home, and the heat pump is one of them. If I can lug one out all of the way inside of the woods for the entire sasquatch community, then you might just be able to do the same for your house. But there is still an all-important question, and that’s “Do heat pumps work in colder climates?”
Before we answer the question of what temperature is a
heat pump not effective, we have to dig into answering how do heat pumps work? These are an advanced warming and cooling technology that gets installed outside of your house. For providing warmth in colder months, it will pull heat that is already outside in the air. Meanwhile, in the summer, it’ll pull the hot air that is already inside of your home and expel it outdoors. While you will need to add an electric heat strip in the winter, this machine will make regulating your warmth way more manageable than anything else!
There are two key parts of a heat pump. First off, you have the condenser unit outside of your home. This remains outdoors and connects to the inside wall cassette. They are connected by a refrigerant line that works to push and pull that cool and warm air throughout your space. Neither of these take up too much space. You won’t have to give up your home’s style just to stay cool!
So, precisely what are the benefits of a heat pump? The most obvious benefit is that it both heats and cools your home. Most temperature regulation tools do one or the other, so having both in one is a real pro! Another incredible benefit is that they require very little maintenance. You can have your heat pump installed and barely have to think about it. Another thing to consider is its environmental impact. These tools use less energy than most other competitors. You’ll save on your energy bill while also helping out the environment!
This all sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? Well, you’re probably also wondering how much do heat pumps cost. A few different types of heat pumps have unique installation methods, but the most common (and cheapest) option is the ductless mini-split heat pump. These will cost anywhere between $1500 and $5000 USD depending on your home and who installs it. Larger buildings or those who decide to go for an air-source heat pump can be looking at a bill that is as high as $7500.
Now that we know the benefits of heat pumps and why they’re worth having, it’s time to answer the question of what temperature is a heat pump not effective in. Do heat pumps work in colder climates? Yes, to an extent. Many typical heat pumps have a limit of -8°C. With so many places around the world averaging cooler temperatures in the winter, that would rule out heat pumps for a considerable percentage of the population! To fix this problem, special cold climate heat pumps have been designed in recent years.
Now we’re all wondering which heat pumps work best in cold weather. If you find the right kind, you’ll be able to operate at temperatures as cold as -25°C! That’s even a little too chilly for a sasquatch! Most homeowners will find that a cold climate air-source heat pump will work just fine. The specially made coil design paired with an electric motor and thermostatic expansion valves makes it a great option for anybody living out in the cold.
Before learning about this fascinating and hardworking option, I often asked myself, “Should I switch my house to a heat pump?” Even though a sasquatch home may look a little different than yours, the answer was a definite yes. If it’s sasquatch approved, it’s good enough for you! While wondering do heat pumps work in colder climates, it’s easy to talk yourself out of bringing one of these machines into your space out of fear that it won’t work all year round. But as long as you aren’t living in places that are consistently -25°C year-round, you should be good to go!
If you are confused about Heat pump terminology, please consider reviewing the Heat Pump glossary from our friends at
Green Foot Energy.