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Do Air-Source Heat Pumps Work in Cold Weather?

heat pump in snow

Air-source heat pumps are being touted as the next big thing in sustainable space conditioning, and with their many benefits, it's easy to see why. Here are just a few of the advantages that air-source heat pumps have compared to conventional heating and cooling:

  • More efficient. Air-source heat pumps heating and cooling efficiencies of up to 300% or more.
  • Quieter operation. Air-source heat pumps produce less noise than conventional HVAC systems.
  • Safer. Heat pumps use electricity, eliminating potentially hazardous emissions from furnace fuels.

Despite these benefits, many are concerned that air-source heat pump performance is not so hot at very cold temperatures. The truth is that air-source heat pumps can provide effective space heating in winter, but their performance does drop as the outdoor temperature decreases. What does that mean for you? We'll sort it all out.

How air-source heat pumps work

In winter, heat pumps move heat from the cold outdoors to the warmer indoor space. How does cold air provide heat? Hot and cold are relative terms. All outside air down to absolute zero degrees (-460°F) contains some heat. An air-source heat pump extracts some heat and moves it indoors to provide space heating. In summer, this process is reversed to provide space cooling.

How are heat pumps more than 100% efficient? They move heat rather than create, like a conventional furnace. Even the most efficient furnace loses some heat in the combustion process.

Cold temperature performance

Air-source heat pumps lose efficiency and heating capacity as the outdoor air temperature decreases. When outdoor temperatures drop below 28°F, a less-efficient electric resistance or gas-fired backup system may be needed to provide extra heating capacity.

Residential electric heating elements range from 5- to 10-kilowatt (kW) load, which is much higher than a typical heat pump load. For this reason, standard air-source heat pumps are not always the most cost-effective heating option in areas with extremely cold winters.

Cold-climate heat pump models have been developed by some manufacturers, but they are not widely available. In moderate climates, however, heat pumps can provide highly efficient and economical space conditioning all year long.

Home Heat Pump

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Does air-source heat pump performance drop along with outdoor temperatures? Lets find out.
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  • My Home
    • Start/Stop Service
    • Payment Options
    • SmartHub
    • Rates & Billing
    • Capital Credits
    • Bill Payment Assistance
    • Disconnects/Service Limiters
  • My Business
    • Online Bill Payment
    • Rates & Billing
    • Start Commercial Service
    • Capital Credits
    • Economic Development
    • Peak Load Management
    • Rebates
  • My Energy
    • Renewable Energy
    • Energy Calculators
    • Electric Vehicle Calculator
    • Rebate Programs
    • OurSolar
    • Home Energy Audits
    • Beat the Peak
    • Radio Control Switches
    • Energy Efficiency Projects & Tips
  • Programs
    • Operation Round Up
    • Co-op Connections
    • Outdoor Lighting Rentals
    • Youth Programs - Bright Futures
    • Scholarships
    • Youth Tour
    • Family Month
  • Events
    • Solar 101 Q & A Event
    • Member Appreciation Day
    • 2023 Annual Meeting
    • Cybersecurity and Energy Efficiency Town Hall
  • News & Magazines
    • Ohio Cooperative Living
    • Indiana Connection
    • Local Magazine Archive
    • Member Newsletter
    • Co-op News Updates
    • Empowered Blog
  • Safety
    • Storm Preparedness
    • Safety Tips
    • Tree Trimming
    • Safety Demos
  • Outages
  • About PPEC
    • Contact Us
    • Co-op History
    • Board of Trustees
    • Run for the Board
    • Retail Energy Choice
    • Official Records & Terms
    • Territory Maps
    • Employment
    • Website Privacy Policy