Acker Heating & Cooling

Can your heat pump withstand the chill of those low-temperature days? Many homeowners share this concern, especially as we prepare for the colder months. Our heat pumps are designed to navigate all sorts of weather. As an indoor air quality and HVAC expert at Acker Heating & Cooling, we’ve extensively studied heat pump operation. In this article, we will explain how these versatile machines work during the colder months and how to ensure maximum efficiency.

Understanding Heat Pumps

Unlike furnaces that generate their heat, heat pumps obtain heat from the outside air and then transfer it indoors. During the summer, they reverse their operation, extracting ground or air heat from indoors and pushing it out to keep your house cool.

Heat Pump Performance in Cold Weather

So, how does a heat pump maintain functionality as the outside temperatures plunge? To comprehend this, keep in mind that even freezing outdoor air contains some heat. At absolute zero (-459.67 degrees Fahrenheit), all molecular movement stops, suggesting that no heat is present.

However, temperatures on Earth never come remotely close to this. As such, a heat pump can always extract some heat from the outside air, no matter how cold it may seem. This aspect is critical because it means that your heat pump isn’t left out in the cold, so to speak, even as we retreat into our cozy homes to escape sub-zero temperatures. For this reason, even in extreme weather, heat pumps can extract latent heat from the frigid atmosphere and transfer it into your home.

How Their Performance Can Vary

While heat pumps will function in cold weather, they may not perform as efficiently as during warmer times. As outside temperatures decrease, the heat pump has to work harder to extract heat and transfer it indoors, which might reduce the heat pump’s energy efficiency. However, in most moderate climates, heat pumps can handle this minor slide in performance and keep you warm all through.

Moreover, the more recent models of heat pumps have been specifically designed to provide an efficient source of heat, even when external temperatures are exceptionally low. With advanced technologies like inverter technology, these modern devices can ensure continuous heating operation at temperatures as low as -15 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Supplemental Heating

In some cases, as the climate becomes harsher, a heat pump alone might not suffice to keep your home as warm as you’d like. Supplemental or auxiliary heat could be required, particularly during extremely low temperatures.

Many heat pumps incorporate an electric resistance heater for this purpose. Positioned within the indoor air handler, this built-in supplemental heating component is essentially a bunch of electrically heated coils that help heat the circulating air when the heat pump alone can’t provide sufficient warmth. It’s automatically activated by your thermostat when required.

How to Maintain Your Heat Pump

To ensure your heat pump continues to function optimally in cold weather, don’t forget to schedule routine repair & maintenance. Preventive servicing of your heat pump will ensure it is in the best possible condition to cope with frigid temperatures. Regular checks on system controls, thermostat calibration, motor function, and the condition of belts and filters can prolong your heat pump’s lifespan, improve its efficiency, and lower energy costs.

Understanding the Different Types of Heat Pumps

Just like any major appliance, not all heat pumps are created equal. There are various types of heat pumps, namely air source, ground source, and absorption heat pumps. While all types of heat pumps can function during cold weather, their efficiency can vary greatly depending on the type.

• Air source heat pumps. As the name suggests, air source heat pumps can transfer heat between your home and the outside air. These heat pumps are the ones most affected by low outside temperatures. As temperatures drop, they must work harder to extract heat from the air, reducing their efficiency. However, most modern models have defrost cycles and can provide heat even when temperatures fall below freezing.
• Ground sources or geothermal heat pumps. These heat pumps transfer heat between your home and the ground or a nearby water source. Ground source heat pumps rely on relatively stable ground or water temperatures, allowing them to maintain high levels of efficiency even during chilly winters. Where the ground freezes, the heat pumps are typically installed below the frost line, where temperatures remain more constant.
• Absorption heat pumps. On the other hand, absorption heat pumps are driven by several heat sources, such as solar-heated water, geothermal-heated water, or natural gas. Since various heat sources can power these heat pumps, their efficiency during cold weather largely depends on these sources. If fueled by solar or geothermal energy, for instance, extreme cold weather would have little effect on their performance.

How to Choose the Right Heat Pump for Your Home

When looking for the right heat pump for your home, you need to consider your location, available space, local climate, heating and cooling needs, and budget.

While ground-source heat pumps may operate more efficiently in extreme cold, they are costlier to install than air-source heat pumps due to the need for burying pipes in the ground. Over time, however, they can offer more significant energy savings.

Meanwhile, air source heat pumps are ideal for moderate climates and are more cost-efficient for installation. Similarly, absorption heat pumps may be a great choice if you have low-cost heat sources readily available.

Consult Acker Heating & Cooling for All Your HVAC Needs

While some might be skeptical about the performance of heat pumps when snowflakes start to fall, don’t worry! A well-maintained heat pump with an effective defrost cycle should work perfectly, even during these cold days. The key is regular maintenance and ensuring that other factors are in place. Don’t let your concerns pile up like snowdrifts. 

If you’re in Colbert, GA, reach out to Acker Heating & Cooling for all your heat pump needs. Whether you need heat pump maintenance or air duct sealing services, our experienced team can handle it. Give us a call today at (706) 425-8774 or visit our contact page.