Cold-Climate Heat Pumps

See capacity in the cold, find your balance point, and choose smart lockout temps. This page adapts to your ZIP and design temperature.

Design Temp — ZIP — Tonnage —

🎯 Quick Start (Non-Technical)

1. Enter Your ZIP Code

We'll automatically detect your climate zone and typical winter temperatures.

2. Estimate Your Home Size

Square footage helps us calculate how much heating you need.

3. Choose Your Heating Type

All-Electric: Heat pump only. Dual-Fuel: Heat pump + furnace backup for extreme cold.

4. See Your Results

Charts show if a heat pump works in your climate and when you'd need backup heat.

💡 Tip: Most fields auto-fill based on your ZIP. You can adjust them if you want to explore different scenarios.

Load vs Capacity

Heat pump capacity Home heating load
Capacity curve uses typical low-ambient behavior for standard vs cold-climate variable-speed models. Load slope derives from size & envelope.

COP vs Outdoor Temperature

Coefficient of Performance
COP curve is representative; actual submittals vary by brand and model. Use this for planning; confirm with installer submittals.

All-Electric vs Dual-Fuel — What's right for you?

FAQ

❓ Do heat pumps work at 5°F (or lower)?

Yes. Modern cold-climate heat pumps keep working even at 5°F or colder. They lose some power, but they still heat your home. The key is choosing the right size and having a backup plan (like a furnace) for the coldest days.

❓ What's a "balance point"?

It's the temperature where your heat pump can handle all your heating needs alone. Above this temperature, the heat pump does all the work. Below it, you need backup heat (like a furnace). The charts show this as the point where the blue and green lines cross.

❓ What is an "economic lockout"?

It's the temperature where your furnace becomes cheaper to run than the heat pump. For example, if your furnace is very efficient and electricity is expensive, it might be cheaper to use the furnace below 20°F. This tool calculates that for your area.

❓ Should I add electric strips?

Usually no. Electric strips are expensive to run. Instead, get a properly sized cold-climate heat pump and a furnace for backup. If you insulate your home well, you'll rarely need the furnace.

❓ All-Electric vs Dual-Fuel — which should I choose?

All-Electric: Lower upfront cost, works in most climates. Dual-Fuel: Keeps your furnace as backup for extreme cold, more reliable in harsh winters. Choose based on your climate and comfort level.