Cold Climate Capable Heat Pumps that Minimize Supplemental Heating
A cold climate capable heat pump combines superior cold climate performance and controls to avoid using supplemental heat sources when the heat pump can meet the heating load. This type of heat pump works in any climate, even in areas where average outdoor air temperatures in winter are frequently below 5° F.
Overview:
Cold climate capable heat pumps serve a broader range of climate zones compared to standard models, and deliver increased comfort and energy efficiency to customers. Pre-programming these models with advanced controls, alongside applying installation strategies, and can reduce the reliance on more expensive supplemental heating when the heat pump is installed and sized properly. This, in turn, increases energy efficiency, reduces peak load demand, and lowers energy costs.
Specification:
These systems meet the ENERGY STAR® cold climate criteria and avoid reliance on supplemental heating when the heat pump can meet the needs of the home.
Cold climate heat pumps are specially rated by ENERGY STAR to perform effectively in subfreezing temperatures. They extract heat from the outside air even when it's cold, making them a viable heating solution for areas like the Northwest, Northeast, upper Midwest, and Alaska. In the marine climate of western Oregon and Washington, these systems can be used without supplemental heating systems—saving on initial costs and minimizing unnecessary use of electric resistance heating.
Performance criteria
| Performance Metric | Ducted Systems | Non-ducted Systems |
| SEER2 rating | ≥ 15.2 | ≥ 15.2 |
| HSPF2 rating | ≥ 8.1 | ≥ 8.5 |
| COP at 5° F | ≥ 1.75 | ≥ 1.75 |
| Capacity Ratio at 5° F | ≥70% | ≥70% |
Source: ENERGY STAR program requirements for central air source heat pumps and central air conditioners
Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) maintains a directory of certified products which can be used to verify if a system meets the ENERGY STAR Cold Climate designation. See the AHRI list here.
- Minimize the installation of electric resistance heating or use a staged energization approach. This will require properly sized and installed heat pump systems.
- Use cold climate heat pumps that can meet the load at low temperature conditions.
- Use programmable controllers that minimize the use of electric resistance heating. Look for controllers that:
- Have a ≥ 3.0° F droop control or maintain indoor temperature offset (MITO).
- Have intelligent setback recovery that focuses on using the heat pump.
- Have intelligent dual fuel switchover/crossover setpoint.
- Are load-flex capable, per AHRI 1380.
Benefits:
Future-proof your manufacturing processes by focusing on technologies with guaranteed growth, like cold climate capable heat pumps. Providing education on installation best practices to minimize reliance on supplemental heating equipment can help ensure confidence in the performance of your products. Pre-programming your heat pumps with advanced controls, such as settings that preheat the home in the morning or pause indoor fan use during defrost cycles to avoid activating supplemental heat, can also ensure maximum savings.
Reduce peak load and help ensure happy homeowners: Cold climate capable heat pumps provide the most cost-effective electric heat in colder climates.* Market research shows that during heat pump installation, many contractors oversize or unnecessarily rely on supplemental heating equipment, which can lead to higher energy costs and negatively impact the grid. When advanced controls are paired with limiting the installation of electric resistance auxiliary heat, these systems can sometimes double the amount of load carried by the heat pump. This results in greater energy savings and reduces strain on the grid, while keeping homeowners comfortable in any climate.**
*Cold Climate Air-Source Heat Pumps: An Innovative Technology to Stay Warm in Winter and Cool in Summer | Department of Energy
Access more tools and research with these links:
Fact Sheet
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)
- NEEP Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump List
- NEEP Air Source Heat Pump Installer and Consumer Resources
- NEEP Cold Climate Heat Pump Sizing Support Tools User Guide
- NEEP Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Sizing Tool - Key Features
The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Additional Resources
Related Improvements
Low Load Efficient Heat Pumps
