Will Heat Pumps Work in Cold Climates Here in Ontario?
Yes, the modern heat pump is built to work in freezing cold weather. Heat pump technology is efficient, cost effective and environmentally sound – but people want to know if a heat pump system can perform reliably at our sub-freezing temperatures here in Ontario?
Yes — contrary to popular misconception, heat pumps are a practical option in cold climates.
Standard Heat Pump vs. Cold Climate Heat Pump – what is the difference?
Standard heat pumps typically lose significant heating capacity at colder temperatures. It is generally not recommended to operate them when outside temperatures drop below −5°C. Cold climate heat pumps can still provide heat when outdoor temps drop to −30°C, depending on the manufacturer’s specifications.
Cold climate heat pumps typically use refrigerants that have a lower boiling point than traditional heat pumps. These refrigerants can continue flowing through a system at low ambient temperatures and draw more heat energy from cold air.
What is a “Cold Climate” Heat Pump?
Heat pump technology has evolved so cold climate heat pumps can efficiently heat your home under very cold conditions- as we said, down to a chilly -30C degrees!
To be classified as a cold climate heat pump under the federal Canada Greener Homes Grant, heat pumps must have a co-efficient of performance (COP) of 1.8 (180% efficient) or higher at -10 degrees Celsius.
This means, the heat pump must maintain an efficiency of at least 180% at -10 C. Since the air outside will always contain some heat, a heat pump can supply heat to a house, even on cold winter days.
In fact, air at –18°C contains about 85 percent of the heat it contained at 21°C. This means in Canada, depending on your home specs, you can use a cold climate heat pump for all of your heating needs. You can maximize your homes energy efficiency & minimize your utility costs.
