At what temperature does a heat pump stop working? (2023)

Ready for your freezing winter, new heat pump technology can heat your home with much less electricity than a traditional heating option.

At Sealed we often get the same questions about heat pumps:

How well does a heat pump actually work in cold weather? Are there heat pumps that work below freezing? At what temperature is a heat pump ineffective?

These are great questions, and for those of you in a hurry, we're about to answer the biggest one:

Contrary to popular belief, air source heat pumps work amazingly well in winter - even in very cold climates.

In fact, heat pumps are the best heating option almost everywhere in the world today.

Below 0° Fahrenheit, heat pumps can still heat your home at more thantwicethe efficiency of gas heaters or standard electric heaters (e.g. electric stoves and skirting board heaters). Tested and approved to the Arctic Circle, they are popular options in very cold countries like Finland and Norway.

So if you're worried about whether a heat pump can keep your home comfortable, don't be. Ready for your freezing winter, new heat pump technology can heat your home with much less electricity than a traditional heating option.

Here's what we'll cover - use these quick links to move forward:

1. How do we know that heat pumps can handle your winter
2. Why most people (and many HVAC companies) are misinformed about heat pumps
3. Why new heat pumps are so much better in winter than older models
4. What temperature is too cold for a heat pump?
5. Whether ductless heat pumps work in cold weather

How well does a heat pump work in cold weather? Here's the research.

Heat pumps work great in freezing weather - but don't take our word for it.

According to the US Department of Energy, heat pump technology has advanced so well in recent years that it is now a good choice for homes in cold regions.

Actually,since heat pumps move existing heat energy instead of creating new heat energy, they can provide more than three times the heat energy for the amount of electricity they consume compared to traditional heating systems (1).

Of course, efficiency is all well and good, but what you're probably wondering is this: do heat pumps produce enough heat to power you?cozyon a very cold winter day?

Good question. To answer them, let's go north (don't worry, it's only for a minute).

In 2018, a group of researchers from the Center for Energy and Environment conducted a field test of air source heat pumps in the state of Minnesota, which has some of the coldest and most brutal winters in the United States.

The researchers wanted to see if air source heat pumps would work in Minnesota's cold winters -- and if using them would save energy.

The answer was a resounding yes – to both questions. Not only did heat pumps effectively heat the test homes throughout the winter, but the data from the test showed that Minnesota residents were able to reduce their heating energy use by 35% to 50% by installing heat pumps (2).

That's a huge efficiency margin and just one more piece of data in an avalanche of evidence that heat pumps work in cold climates.

Heat pumps have been tested as far away as Alaska,They operate in temperatures well below freezing and the acceptance of heat pumps is increasing dramatically in areas with colder climates.

(Even better news, there are programs in specific areas that can help you get aHeat pump with no upfront cost, and you might even qualify for itTax credits and rebates for heat pumps.)

So if heat pumps are so efficient in cold temperatures, why do so many people believe that heat pumps don't work in extremely cold weather?

How heat pumps got a reputation problem

Heat pump technology is now ready for brutal winters - but it wasn't always like this.

The first wave of popular heat pumps from the 1980s worked well in moderate temperatures but struggled when temperatures dropped below freezing.

As a result, most early heat pumps were installed in temperate climate areas, and heat pumps themselves had a reputation for being weak in cold temperatures.

That reputation stayed. Because of this, the internet contains a lot of old, inaccurate information about how heat pumps work in cold weather. And that's also why most people think heat pumps aren't going to keep their house warm enough.

in summary? Like so many of us, the heat pump is still haunted by its poor choices in the 1980's and 90's.

But here's the thing: heat pumps have gotten so much better since they were invented, and the new cold-climate and heavy-duty models are more than capable of handling whatever your winter throws at them –even if you have a big old house.

Let's see why.

81% have found that the comfort of their home has improved by replacing fossil fuel heaters with heat pumps.

Coolproducts 2022 European Customer Analysis

First, what is a heat pump and how does it work?

A heat pump is a completeReplacement for your HVAC system– It can heat, cool, filter and dehumidify your air...all using far less energy than a traditional air conditioning or heating system.

A heat pump works by moving thermal energy. In winter, it absorbs heat from outside your home and transfers it into your home.

In summer, it reverses the process - it transports the thermal energy from the inside to the outside.

Sincemoving heatuses less fuel thangenerate heat, the heat pump is ridiculously efficient – ​​it uses far less energy than traditional heating and cooling systems.

Why new heat pumps are so much better than old ones

While the basic principle of the heat pump hasn't changed, the individual components have improved significantly in recent times - and these improvements have made a huge difference in how heat pumps perform in winter.

This is how modern, high-performance heat pumps have improved:

1. Revised compressors
2. Improved coil designs
3. Super efficient fans
4. Better engines

Today's heat pumps can reduce up to 50% of your energy consumption for heating.

Energie.gov

A completely revised compressor

This is the big upgrade.

The compressor is the "heart" of a heat pump - it circulates the refrigerant that transports heat energy from the outside of your home to the inside.

And now new heat pump compressors can do itautomaticallyadjust their speed and energy consumption as the temperature changes.They work hard when necessary (e.g. on really cold days) and then scale back when temperatures are moderate.

(In other words, old heat pump compressors were something like driving a shift car, while new compressors are more like an automatic.)

This variable speed compressor technology was not commercially available in heat pumps 10 years ago. Well, since it is so, so be itDieGame changer who made sub-zero heat pumps awesome.

An improved coil design

Most modern heat pumps (and all heat pumps recommended by Sealed) now use grooved copper tubing. As the new corrugated hose has a larger surface area than the older smooth hose,Heat pumps can exchange heat with the outside environment much more efficientlythan they could in the past.

Efficient fans

Heat pumps now use better variable speed fans – and these new fans handle common winter challenges (like clogged ducts and dirty filters) much better (3).

Better engines

Heat pump manufacturers have been researching ways to make their engines work better for years. This research has really paid off. The new heat pump motors work great in winter, but still use much less electricity than traditional heating systems such as boilers or stoves.

That's a lot of improved technology (we could go on).

But the bottom line is that the heat pump you're installing this month is vastly different than the heat pumps that were available 15 years ago.

And that a new, optimized cold climate heat pump works wonderfully at sub-zero temperatures (especially if your home has been properly airtight and insulated).

Frequently asked questions about heat pumps in cold weather

Do heat pumps work below 20 degrees?

Yes, air source heat pumps work below 20 degrees Fahrenheit– in fact, they can work well below -10! If you're worried - or if you live in Antarctica - you can get a cold-air heat pump with a supplemental heating system in a pinch (the vast majority of people never need it).

At what temperature does a heat pump stop working?

As long as your house is in orderairtightandisolated, an air source heat pump can work well beyond temperatures of -13 degrees Fahrenheit! If you live in extreme cold, you may need to use supplemental heat, or what is known as aDual-Fuel-System(or consider switching to a geothermal heat pump).

If you regularly experience winter temperatures below -13 degrees, speak to us to learn how you can still enjoy all the amazing benefits of a heat pump in your home. (If you choose to combine a heat pump with a supplemental heating system — although most homeowners don't have to — it can be more efficient than traditional heating alone.)

Find out more about the different types of heat pumps.

Are heat pumps efficient in cold weather?

Yes! The latest research results show that heat pumps are up to three times more efficient in wintry temperatures than conventional gas, heating oil or electric systems.

Find out more about how heat pumps can help youConvert from oil heating to electricorswitch from natural gasto electrify your home.

Do ductless heat pumps work in cold weather?

Yes, "mini split" ductless heat pumps are designed to work great in cold weather. They create a fresh-to-the-touch, continuously circulating warmth that people love. (And the mini-split system gives you precise temperature control from room to room, so you can dial in the exact amount of heat you need in each area of ​​your home. Learn morehow mini-splits workandhow to camouflage a mini split unit.)

Do heat pumps work in the Northeast US?

Yes, a heat pump is an ideal HVAC choice in the Northeast — including New York, New Jersey, Maine, and Massachusetts — because it's the only air conditioning system that can do it all.

On hot, muggy days when all your neighbors are complaining, a heat pump will keep your home cool, dry and fresh. And then, in winter, a heat pump ensures cozy warmth in your house even on the coldest days.

Why heat pumps are a life upgrade

Sure, heat pumps will keep you cozy in the winter, but that's just one of the reasons you should consider getting one. This is why so many people love heat pumps:

• All-in-One-HVAC-System

  A heat pump can replace both your cooling and heating system (it also cleans and dehumidifies your air).

• Amazing comfort

  Since your heat pump continuously circulates air, your house will feel comfortable everywhere. (No more uneven temperature spots.)

• Safe and easy to live with

  Heat pumps are super quiet and don't produce any strange smells - plus there's no risk of explosion (always a plus!).

• flexibility

  As long as you have electricity there is a heat pump for you (even if you don't have sewerage).

• Green and clean energy

  Heat pumps produce far less carbon dioxide than traditional heating methods. They arethe greenest air conditioner available– better for our planet, better for you, better for future generations.

Learn more about the pros and cons of heat pumps atThe Ultimate Guide to Heat Pumps.

In short, heat pumps are a life upgrade.

And now withsealed, maybe you canHave your heat pump installed with no upfront cost.We cover the initial project cost and you then pay us back based on the energy saved through the work.

Even better, we hire and screen your installers, oversee the project, and then stand behind our work 100%.If you don't save energy, we don't get paid.

If this sounds interesting to you,Call us at 917-905-3788to speak to a Sealed specialist.

There is no obligation and everyone is super friendly. (We'll let you know if we can help, and if we can't, we'll give you our top tips for moving forward.)