Cold climate heat pumps: efficient heating at frigid temps

If you live in a cold climate, you might wonder whether a heat pump can truly keep up with freezing winters. It is a common myth that heat pumps fail in cold weather, even though modern cold-climate technology has completely changed the game.

Cold climate heat pumps can lower your energy bills and keep your home warm and efficient all winter long. Here’s what you need to know.

Heat pumps are widely installed in challenging climates

Heat pumps are two-in-one heating and cooling systems growing in popularity. Data from the Rocky Mountain Institute shows heat pumps made up 54% of all space heating equipment shipped in the United States in the 12 months ending in June 2026. Heat pumps have outsold gas furnaces in the United States since 2022.

Heat pumps are in use in all 50 US states and can work well in the hottest summers and very, very cold winters. For example, in New York, there were 37% more heat pumps installed in 2022 than in 2021. Maine installed 100,000 heat pumps two years ahead of schedule and shifted their goal to 275,000 heat pumps for the remaining two years.

The challenge of cold climates

For years, cold climates were a problem for heat pumps, but today’s heat pumps can handle them.

Heat pumps move heat between your house and the outside air or ground. They move it outside to cool your house and move it inside to heat it.

When it’s really cold outside, there’s less heat in the air to pull inside, which means a heat pump has to work harder and older models couldn’t keep up with really cold temperatures. Defrosting the outdoor coil, which can ice over with precipitation or humid conditions, and relying on electric resistance backup heating takes additional energy and eats into a heat pump’s efficiency advantage. 

Cold climate heat pumps handle harsh weather

Heat pumps for cold climates can keep a home warm, even at temperatures near or below zero.

Cold climate heat pumps are recommended by the Department of Energy in climate zone 4 and higher as seen in the map below.

Certain cold climate heat pumps work efficiently as low as -20 °F thanks to high performance features. A supplemental heating source may be useful as an additional heat source in very cold conditions.

Ductless mini-split heat pumps come with cold-climate technology, too.

Credit: Energy.gov Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 

Variable speed compressors: Many HVAC systems have only two speeds: on or off. Newer variable speed heat pumps can adjust how hard they run based on how much heating or cooling they need to do. This makes them more efficient no matter the temperature.

Vapor injection: Vapor injection adds more refrigerant into the compressing stage of the cycle for more heat transfer.

Enhanced defrosting: A heat pump’s outside coil can ice over in cold weather. A heat pump with enhanced defrosting automatically defrosts only when needed, avoiding unneeded, inefficient defrosting cycles. 

Auxiliary heat: If the outside temperature gets so low that even your cold climate heat pump can’t keep up, auxiliary electric resistance heat kicks on. It’s less efficient, but can get you through extremely cold temperatures.

Smarter heat pumps: According to preliminary results from National Renewable Energy Laboratory research, software can improve cold climate heat pump performance. By optimizing the defrost cycle, researchers were able to keep a heat pump more efficient than electric resistance heating down to -35 °F. Overall the heat pump’s efficiency was 50% better thanks to the software.

Zoned heating (and cooling): Zoned or targeted heating and cooling lets you reduce energy usage by running your heating and cooling where you need it and limiting it where you don’t.

Are cold climate heat pumps actually better?

If you live where a cold climate heat pump is recommended, you’re likely to see better heating capacity in lower temperatures, lower energy usage (and utility bills), and little need for a secondary heating system. 

If you live in a warmer climate, the higher upfront cost of a cold climate heat pump likely won’t be worth it. 

Geothermal heat pumps: A cold climate champion?

Geothermal heat pumps use the steady temperature just below ground (about 50-59 °F) to heat and cool a home highly efficiently. Even when temperatures are frigid above ground, heat pumps can easily grab heat from below ground.

Adapted from energy.gov

Geothermal heat pumps are more expensive to install than their air source counterparts and require adequate land to install the underground coil, but are much more efficient and longer lasting.

One of the largest geothermal heat pumps in the world saves Colorado Mesa University $1.5 million in annual heating and cooling costs, according to the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association. A retrofitted farm house in Iowa reduced the owners' heating and cooling costs by 70%.

Professional assessment: Tailoring heat pumps to your climate

Home heating and cooling needs will be different in Bismarck, North Dakota and in Key West, Florida. A pro with local experience should be able to design a system that fits your climate and needs. 

They’ll also be able to do a manual J load calculation, which factors climate specifics like humidity, average summer highs, and typical winter lows with specifics of your property like your home’s orientation, solar heat gain, and heat loss through spaces like windows or the ceiling. This ensures you get the right sized heat pump with the appropriate climate rating for your home.

Powering the right heat pump for your home with home solar panels can reduce your heating and cooling cost.

Learn how an efficient heat pump could benefit your home or get a free quote today.

Frequently asked questions

Does climate matter for picking the right heat pump?

Climate is an important factor of many in deciding on the right heat pump for your home. In cold climates, cold weather heat pumps are necessary. In warm or mild climates, paying extra for a cold climate heat pump is likely not worth the extra cost.

What is the best climate for heat pumps?

Heat pumps work in all climates. Traditionally, they were thought to only fit warmer or milder climates. Newer cold climate heat pumps provide efficient heating down to well below freezing and heat pumps provide cooling as well as any one way air conditioner. 

Will a heat pump work in my climate?

Modern heat pumps are the most efficient option in a wider range of climates than ever. Cold climate heat pumps can work in temperatures well below freezing. 

Can you use heat pumps for cold climates instead of furnaces?

In the vast majority of winter climates, you can use a heat pump instead of a furnace. In many areas, they’re competitive or lower cost to run, as well. 

What is a heat pump lease?

When you lease a heat pump, like with the Palmetto Comfort Plan, you make predictable monthly payments, and the leasing company installs and maintains a heat pump at your house. You don't own the heat pump (though your lease may include buyout option), which removes your upfront, maintenance, and many repair costs.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Palmetto does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors.