Heat pump mounted on an interior wall of a home
Heat pump mounted on an interior wall of a home

Heat pumps are an excellent choice if you want to maximize efficiency in your home. A heat pump is a special type of HVAC unit that uses refrigerant to move hot and cold air throughout your home. A professional HVAC technician from Haller can have one up and running in less than a day.

A heat pump can pump cool air into your home in the summer and then be reversed in the winter to heat the interior of your home.

Heat pumps are very efficient and mechanically simple, making them very popular for mini-split HVAC installations.

But you may have heard that there are no heat pumps that work below freezing. How cold will heat pumps work, and does it make sense to get a heat pump in an area with cold winters, such as central and eastern Pennsylvania? Find out now!

Why Do Heat Pumps Work Less Effectively When It’s Extremely Cold?

To understand why a heat pump doesn’t work as well in the cold, it’s important to understand how a heat pump functions.

Essentially, a heat pump uses a “refrigerant” to transfer heat from inside your home to the outdoors – and vice versa.

When it’s hot in your home, the refrigerant in the heat pump absorbs the heat and vents it outside. The hot refrigerant is then expanded, which cools it down significantly. Then, a fan blows over this cool refrigerant, pumping cool air back into your home.

In the winter, this process is reversed. The heat pump can absorb heat from the outside air – even when it’s quite cold! Then, the hot refrigerant from the outdoors is pumped into your home, and a fan blows across it to provide heat to the inside of your home.

The refrigerant cools off again and is pumped back outside to be heated once again.

Even in very cold weather, there is enough heat outside for your heat pump to absorb it and continue heating the inside of your home. However, this is only true to a certain extent – when temperatures get very cold, there may simply not be enough ambient heat to keep the pump running efficiently.

If you have a heat pump and your thermostat is not reaching a set temperature heat when it’s very cold outside, this is likely what is happening. It may be so cold that your heat pump is not operating efficiently.

This is why, traditionally, heat pumps are only recommended for climates where the temperature rarely dips below freezing during the winter. They are not as effective when it’s very cold, in most cases.

However, most heat pumps can be modified with electric “heating strips.” When switched on, these strips provide an extra source of heat for the pump, allowing it to work efficiently at any temperature – though this could add more to your power bill.

What Temperature Is A Heat Pump Not Effective? It Depends on Your Heat Pump!

How cold will a heat pump work? That’s a great question, and it mostly depends on the model of your heat pump. Most standard heat pumps will function at 100% efficiency until the outside temperature reaches about 40°F.

However, when the temperature dips below this, most heat pumps are not able to maintain efficiency. They become much less effective at temperatures between 20°F to 30°F. At lower temperatures, the heat pump will use a lot more energy and will not heat your home as efficiently.

Brands like Carrier are perfecting efficiency below 5°F. Ask us about these systems when looking for a new HVAC system install quote. Haller is a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer.

Reliable heating isn’t just about comfort during cold weather—it’s essential. While gas furnaces have long been the go-to solution for freezing temperatures, advancements in gas-free heating technology have introduced innovative and efficient alternatives.

Carrier’s cold climate heat pumps offer an excellent option for homeowners in colder regions, combining exceptional energy efficiency with consistent comfort. These systems provide a smart, eco-friendly alternative to traditional gas HVAC systems.

If you’re interested in replacing your HVAC system with an efficient and simple heat pump – or retrofitting an older building that doesn’t have room for ducted HVAC – Carrier heat pump products are a great option. Contact a Haller Comfort Advisor today to learn more about incorporating heat pump technology into your home.

Need Heat Pump Installation or Repairs in Central or Eastern, PA? Haller is Here to Help!

Whether you want to install a new heat pump or you live in the area and have been Googling “heat pump repair near me,” Haller is here to help.

As a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, we carry and install high-quality Carrier heat pumps that work in even sub-zero temperatures, and we can service and repair all makes & models of heat pumps.

To learn more about our heat pump installation and repair services in central and eastern Pennsylvania, just contact us online or click here to schedule service.

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