Cold Climate Heat Pumps vs. Standard Heat Pumps: What’s the Difference?

Suitable climate

• Standard heat pumps are ideal for mild climates where outside temperatures remain above freezing. A heat pump can efficiently heat and cool your house in those situations.

• Cold Climate Heat Pumps (CCHPs): CCHPs are built to work well even in sub-freezing temperatures, so they are a great option for places with harsh winters. Their technology is so advanced that they can efficiently perform in freezing temperatures. They can extract heat from the air even when the temperature is -25 °C (-13 °F) or lower.

Technology and Design

The technology and performance is what makes a cold climate heat pump different from a standard heat pump.

• Standard Heat Pumps: Utilize single-stage or two-stage compressors. These compressors operate at a constant speed, which can result in lower efficiency at extreme weather conditions. They perform well in warm temperatures, but they do not perform well in colder temperatures. Standard heat pumps may also require supplemental heating in cold weather, such as electric resistance heating, which consumes more energy and is more expensive.

• Cold Climate Heat Pumps: Use inverter technology, variable-speed compressors and low-temperature refrigerants to vary the compressor speed according to the heating demand. This capability significantly improves the efficiency of the heat pump in cold weather. Cold climate heat pumps are also equipped with enhanced defrost cycles to prevent ice buildup on the outdoor coil so they can operate efficiently even in below-freezing temperatures.

Cold Weather Performance

• Standard Heat Pumps: Work well in temps above 0° C (32° F), but struggle in colder climates. As the temperature drops below freezing, the system’s ability to extract heat from the air decreases, requiring the use of auxiliary heating, which can lead to increased energy use and reduced efficiency.

• Cold Climate Heat Pumps: Optimized for very cold climates, they retain a high Coefficient of Performance (COP) at -15°C (5°F) and run at -30°C (-22°F). These systems are designed to provide you with almost 100% of your heating capacity in freezing temperatures. If you live in Canada, Alaska or the northern states in the U.S., this is a great choice for your home.

Thermal Power and Efficiency

The Coefficient of Performance (COP) is a measure of the efficiency of a heat pump; the higher the COP, the more efficient the heat pump.

• Standard Heat Pumps: In moderate climates, standard heat pumps are capable of COPs in the range of 3.0 to 4.0 at mild temperatures (10°C to 20°C or 50°F to 68°F). But when the temperature goes below zero, their COP drops off a cliff. This lowers the energy efficiency of the system, often necessitating extra energy to heat it.

• Cold Climate Heat Pumps: Cold climate heat pumps are designed to maintain high efficiency even in freezing temperatures, with COPs of 2.5 or higher at -15°C (5°F). This means that the heat pump can still provide a large amount of heat even in very cold conditions, meaning that you don’t have to rely on other forms of heating.

Cycles of Defrost

When the outdoor temperature falls below freezing, ice can form on the outdoor coils of a heat pump, reducing its efficiency. Standard and cold climate heat pumps have defrost cycles to combat this, but the efficiency of the cycles varies between the two systems.

• Under prolonged freezing conditions, standard heat pumps may not undergo adequate defrost cycles. However, in cold climates the defrost cycle can be inefficient, as the system has to stop heating often to melt the ice, and uses more power.

• Cold Climate Heat Pumps: These models come with improved defrosting systems that quickly and efficiently melt any ice that has formed on the coils, using less energy and allowing them to function in sub-zero temperatures. Intelligent defrost control means defrost cycles are only initiated when necessary, saving energy and minimizing downtime.

How to Choose the Right Heat Pump for Your Home

There are a number of factors to consider when deciding between a cold climate heat pump and a standard heat pump. Some of these factors include your climate, the size of your home, your insulation and your budget.

CLIMATE ISSUES

• Mild Climates – If you’re in an area that gets mild winters with temperatures that don’t really dip below freezing, the average heat pump will probably do the trick. In moderate climates such as the southern U.S. or much of Europe, conventional heat pumps work efficiently to heat and cool homes.

• Cold Climates: If you live in a colder climate, a cold climate heat pump is the right choice. These systems are built to operate in freezing temperatures without sacrificing efficiency, so they’re great for areas where winter temperatures regularly dip below 0°C (32°F).

Home Size and Insulation

• Bigger Homes Bigger homes or poorly insulated homes may need a more powerful heat pump to keep the inside at a comfortable temperature. These cases may be better served by cold climate heat pumps which have more heating capacity in cold conditions.

• Good Insulation: Homes that have good insulation are well suited for both normal and cold climate heat pumps because they lower the overall heating demand. But in cooler climates, a cold climate heat pump will still give you better energy efficiency.

Budget

• Standard heat pumps: These typically have a lower upfront cost compared to cold-climate heat pumps. Homeowners living in a mild climate may want to consider a standard heat pump, as it’s less expensive and can effectively heat and cool your home without the sophisticated capabilities of a cold-climate heat pump.

• Cold Climate Heat Pumps: These are typically more expensive because of the more sophisticated components and capabilities. In the long run, though, the energy they save in colder climates can outweigh the higher upfront cost. In addition, many regions provide rebates and incentives to upgrade to energy efficient cold climate heat pumps that lower the overall cost of the project.