Skip to main content
Home
  • About Us
    • Annual Report
  • Powering the Future
    • Our Energy Mix
  • Electrify and Save®
    • On-Bill Repayment
    • Programs
    • Quality Install
  • Media
    • Resources
    • Blog
    • Features
    • News
    • Newsletter
    • Podcast
  • Cooperative Benefits
  • Operations
  • Search
Menu

Search form

The Benefits of Heat Pumps in Cold Climates

02/07/2023

The Benefits of Heat Pumps in Cold Climates 

Many people are still learning about the benefits of heat pumps and what they can do. Heat pumps are especially beneficial in cold weather climates. A heat pump is part of a home heating and cooling system and is installed outside the home. There are five main types of heat pumps:    

  1. Air Source Heat Pump - Air source, also known as an air-to-air heat pump (or air-to-water for homes with in-floor radiant heating), extracts heat from outdoor air and transfers it into your home. This is one of the easiest and cheapest heat pumps to install and takes up little space. There are generally two types of air-source heat pumps: 

  2. A ducted air-source heat pump that looks like a big outdoor air conditioner compressor and connects to traditional air handlers and ductwork in a home. 

  3. Mini-split (sometimes called ductless) has a “skinny” compressor for the outdoor unit and a wall cassette to distribute heat and cooling to individual units.  

  4. Ground Source Heat Pump - A ground source heat pump, or a geothermal heat pump, extracts the heat energy from the ground around your home’s foundation and transfers it into your home. 

  5. Water Source Heat Pump - A water source heat pump extracts heat energy from water by pumping the water from the source directly through the heat pump. This works great for those who have homes near ponds or lakes. 

 

 

Advantages of Heat Pumps 

There are many advantages to heat pumps. Unlike conventional boilers and furnaces that burn fuel to generate heat, heat pumps collect existing heat from their respective element (air, water or ground) and concentrate it for use inside the home. While the name “heat” pump can be a little misleading, heat pumps are capable of much more. They can heat, cool, filter and dehumidify your air, all while reducing your energy use by up to 50 percent when using a variable-speed heat pump. 

The Benefits of Heat Pumps in Cold Climates

Selecting the Right Heat Pump for Your Home 

Contrary to outdated misconceptions, modern cold climate heat pumps can heat homes efficiently in sub-zero temperatures, even as low as -25 F. It might sound hard to believe but there is heat in the air even at –25F or colder and new refrigerants have boiling points of –44 F. Yep that is a –44 F, quite different than the temperature water boils, but that low-temperature point means any of the heat in the air at -25F will be attracted to the refrigerant in the heat pump and be transferred into your home or business. If you’re living in a cold climate, there are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a heat pump for your home and ensuring it will keep your home comfortable in the winter:   

  • Blower Types: There are three types of blower types in heat pumps, and each affects efficiency and comfort. A fixed-speed blower is either on or off. A multi-speed blower can power up or down to different fixed speeds. A variable-speed motor incrementally adjusts how much air blows based on your heating and cooling needs, making it the most comfortable and efficient choice.   
     
    Variable speed or cold climate heat pumps not only keep you more comfortable but also maximize your savings during the heating and cooling season. 

  • Defrost Mode: Defrost mode activates when the outdoor temperature drops below 32 degrees. In freezing temperatures, frost can accumulate on the outdoor coil so defrost mode reverses the heating process and pulls warm energy from inside the home to the coil to melt any frost. The process can take about 15 minutes or will kick off when the coil reaches 55 degrees.   

  • Air Flow: Air-source heat pumps need, you guessed it, airflow. According to the Department of Energy, there should be about 400-500 cubic feet per minute of airflow for each ton of the heat pump’s capacity. In cold climates where snow and other debris may obstruct airflow, it’s best to have the heat pump installed on a stand, or inside a cage or shed. 

  • Dual fuel: If you live in extreme cold and have a heating system with ductwork, you may need to use supplemental heat, or what’s called a dual-fuel system. A dual-fuel heat pump gives you the best of both worlds by providing a hybrid heating and cooling system that combines a heat pump with a furnace. The system alternates automatically between the two systems based on your heating and cooling needs. You can also set your cross-over point between the two “fuels” based on the cost to heat with electricity versus natural gas or propane.* 

Learn more in our downloadable PDF

The Benefits of Heat Pumps in Cold Climates

*Ductless mini-splits do not need any backup if properly designed for a home, as all ductless mini-splits Tri-State rebates are variable speed, the first requirement for a cold climate heat pump. 

Why Heat Pumps are Becoming Popular 

Heat pumps are quickly becoming a popular option for homes and businesses. Rightfully so, they’re cheaper to operate, energy efficient and reduce emissions. Heat pumps don’t burn fossil fuel as furnaces do, they’re powered by electricity, which is more environmentally friendly. Heat pump technology is constantly improving, they’re soon expected to have economic parity with natural gas. With so many choices, there’s a heat pump option for every home. 

Your local electric cooperative or public power district is a good resource for understanding more about heat pump technology, contractors, financing and incentives for installation.  

Beginning in 2023, Tri-State offers through our member utilities rebates from $675 to $2,400, based on efficiency levels, for air-source heat pumps. The heating efficiency rating required to receive a rebate for an air-source heat pump is 7.8 HSPF2 or greater (9.0 HSPF). Reach out to your local cooperative for support in adopting heat pump technology.  

 

Electrify and Save™  

Posted 02/07/2023

 

--

About Tri-State

Tri-State is a power supply cooperative, operating on a not-for-profit basis, serving electric distribution cooperatives and public power district member-owners in four states. Together with our members, we deliver reliable, affordable and responsible power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West. Visit www.tristate.coop.    

 

Contributor:

Peter Rusin, Member Relations Manager

Post Tags
Electrify and Save™
heat pumps

Blog Posts

Fall family activities close to home

5 Fall Family Activities Close to Home

Shorter days don’t mean you’ll be short on opportunities for family fun! Our list of safe fall activities at home will help you embrace the best of the season with your loved ones - all while saving money and staying close to home.
Kent Mahanna, MPH, CSP Senior Manager Safety & Security
Read more >
5 Powerful Electric Tools for Fall Clean-up

5 Powerful Electric Tools for Fall Clean-up

At Tri-State, we are adding renewables and reducing emissions as part of our Responsible Energy Plan. As electricity becomes cleaner, replacing appliances and tools, or even cars and trucks, traditionally powered by fossil fuels,  can further reduce overall emissions. These electric-powered gardening tools can last longer and are emissions-free, meaning you’ll smell the crisp fall air, not the smell of exhaust.
Read more >
how to prepare for bad winter storms

How to Prepare for Winter’s Worst Storms

What should you do for winter storm safety preparation? The safety tips below will help you to prepare for some of the worst winter storm situations. 
Kent Mahanna, MPH, CSP Senior Manager Safety & Security
Read more >
Make Online Math and Science Fun for Kids

10 Ways to Make Online Math and Science Fun

With stay-at-home learning, teachers are facing the challenges of coming up for creative ways to make online learning enjoyable. How to make online math and science fun for kids? Michelle Pastor explores the many ways, and shares her insider knowledge.
Michelle Pastor, Senior Education Program Advisor
Read more >
Power Up Your Child’s Remote Learning

8 Ways to Power Up Your Child’s Remote Learning Routine

In many of our communities, the beginning of the school year is looking more like last spring. As much of our lives stay online, adjusting to remote learning is the new normal. 
Michelle Pastor, Senior Education Program Advisor
Read more >
Create a Productive and Fun Learning Environment for Kids at Home

How to Create a Productive and Fun Learning Environment at Home

Many family homes have now become full or part-time learning spaces as many schools have transitioned to virtual and at-home learning. In order to create a successful learning routine at home for kids, parents should make a plan to create spaces that are organized, calm and productive for learning at home. Here's a few tips to get started.
Michelle Pastor, Senior Education Program Advisor
Read more >
Fun Summer Activities Close to Home

10 Fun Summer Activities Close to Home

Warm weather and long days are a recipe for family fun. No matter the ages or the size of your family, try an activity from our list to enjoy the summer season together - all close to home! 
Michelle Pastor, Senior Education Program Advisor
Read more >
best ways to travel in a van

Van Life: How to Make Your Van More Efficient

Looking to hit the open road and embrace the #VanLife? Here are some efficient ways to travel in a van while exploring America
Kristen Wurth, Communications Specialist
Read more >
ways for kids to conserve energy at school or home

10 Easy Ways for Kids to Conserve Energy at Home and School

As students, parents, and teachers gear up for back to school season, more energy will be used in homes and classrooms. Here are 10 easy ways that kids can be a part of conserving energy in the home and classroom.
Rachel Stout, Communications Intern
Read more >

Pagination

  • First page« First
  • Previous page‹ Previous
  • …
  • Page   3
  • Page   4
  • Page   5
  • Page   6
  • Page   7
  • Currently on page   8
  • Page   9
  • Page   10
  • Page   11
  • Next pageNext ›
  • Last pageLast »

Subscribe

* indicates required
Join our mailing list for
updates and member news.
 
 

Quick links

  • Leadership Team
  • Dark Fiber
  • Financials
  • Board Meetings
  • Member Tools
  • Corporate Responsibility Report
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Careers
  • Employee login

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association
Office: 303-452-6111
1100 West 116th Avenue
Westminster, CO 80234

Mailing address:
PO Box 33695
Denver, CO 80233-0695

©2025 Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. Power supplier to the rural west.

  • About Us
    • Annual Report
  • Powering the Future
    • Our Energy Mix
  • Electrify and Save®
    • On-Bill Repayment
    • Programs
    • Quality Install
  • Media
    • Resources
    • Blog
    • Features
    • News
    • Newsletter
    • Podcast
  • Cooperative Benefits
  • Operations
  • Search