Can Heat Pumps be Used in Northern Climates?
If you’re shopping for a new comfort system, odds are you’ve heard about the efficient, cost-effective and sustainable features of heat pumps. These systems have been sought after in warm climates for a very long time. But since they absorb heat from the outdoor air and transfer it inside, conventional wisdom suggests that installing them in cold climates is not practical. This could have you wondering 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 increased significantly in Northern European countries such as Norway and Sweden. With frequent January temperatures sitting around 20 degrees F, homeowners in these areas obviously depend on powerful heating options. Those who have installed cold-climate heat pumps have been delighted to discover that they fulfill their needs perfectly.
What Makes Cold-Climate Heat Pumps More Effective at Low Temperatures?
Heat pump technology was previously insufficient for cooler climates. As the temperature fell below freezing, these systems were just unable to collect enough heat to efficiently warm a house. But this is no longer the case. Here are the advanced features designed for cold-climate heat pumps that enable them to work efficiently at temperatures colder than 0 degrees F.
- Cold-weather coolants have a lower boiling point compared to traditional heat pump refrigerants, enabling them to draw more heat energy from cold air.
- Multi-stage compressors work at lower speeds in temperate weather and switch to higher speeds in extreme cold. This boosts efficiency in dynamic weather conditions and keeps the indoor temperature more stable.
- Variable-speed fans work with multi-stage compressors to supply heated air at the proper rate.
- The enhanced coil design placed in most modern heat pumps features grooved copper tubing with a larger surface area, enabling the unit to transfer heat more efficiently.
- Flash injection creates a shortcut in the refrigerant loop to increase cold-weather heating performance. Efficiency drops a bit in this mode, but it’s still better than depending on a backup electric resistance heater.
- More powerful motors use less electricity to boost energy savings.
- Other engineering modifications such as decreased ambient flow rates, greater compressor capacity and enhanced compression cycle configurations further decrease energy consumption in freezing winter weather.
Traditional Heating Systems vs. Heat Pumps in Colder Climates
Heat pump efficiency is measured by its heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF), which illustrates the total heating output throughout 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. Lots of cold-climate heat pumps can boast ratings of 10 HSPF or higher, enabling them to operate at up to 400% efficiency in moderate weather. In other words, they move four times more energy than they consume in the process.
Performance falls 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 might vary. The biggest savers are usually people who heat with combustible fuels like propane and oil, as well as those who use electric furnaces or electric baseboard heaters.
However, heating with natural gas still tends to be less expensive than using a heat pump. The cost gap depends on how severe the winter is, the utility costs in your area, whether your heat pump was installed correctly and whether you have 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, remember these other factors:
- Design and installation: Cold-weather heat pumps are designed for efficiency, but they need to be sized, designed and installed precisely 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 United States government. The tax credit amount for qualifying installations is $300 up to the end of 2022.
- Solar panels: Heat pumps use electricity, so they work well with solar panels. This combo can lower 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, Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air can help you make a cost-effective decision. We’ll review your home comfort needs, take a look at your budget and point you toward the best equipment, which could 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 Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air office today.