Do heat pumps work in cold climates?

Yes, heat pumps work in cold climates. Not only that, they’re two times more efficient at heating homes in cold weather than fossil fuel systems, according to a 2023 study.

But, there’s a reason for the common misconception that heat pumps don’t work in cold climates—some don’t. When heat pumps first hit the market, the technology wasn’t advanced enough to pull sufficient heat from super cold outdoor air to warm up a home. However, times have changed, technology has advanced, and cold-climate heat pumps are now available, offering an energy-efficient heating alternative for homeowners from Maine to Alaska and beyond.

Let’s explore how heat pumps work in cold weather, when you should consider other technology, and how you can find these high-efficiency heat pumps.

If you know how heat pumps work, the idea of a cold-climate heat pump might be confusing. After all, heat pumps essentially soak up hot air from outside your home and move it indoors, so how can they possibly work when there’s seemingly no hot air to be found?

The simplest answer: Heat pumps work by making themselves even colder than the outdoor air. Air always carries some heat (yes, even when it’s freezing outside). Plus, hot flows towards cold—that’s just physics. As long as the refrigerant inside the heat pump is colder than the outside temperature, heat energy will flow into the heat pump.

It’s important to note that not all heat pumps work well in the cold. High-efficiency heat pumps are specifically designed to produce heat in frigid temperatures, but traditional electric heat pumps need warmer air.

The chart below details some of the science and key features behind cold-climate heat pumps.

No, you likely won’t need a backup heating system with your heat pump. Current technology is advanced enough that heat pumps work at maximum efficiency even at sub-zero temperatures. Most homeowners find that their heat pump is enough to keep them warm all winter, but some cold-climate heat pumps have built-in electric resistance heat systems that kick on during extreme cold events for added peace of mind.

Still, many heat pump users keep their old heating system (furnace, boiler, etc.) as a backup “just in case.” Your new heat pump can easily sync with your old system—just make sure you work with a trusted installer to find the best-fit system (or mix of systems) for your home.

It depends on the heat pump. Traditional electric heat pumps typically start to lose efficiency at or below 35°F, whereas newer, cold-climate heat pumps maintain 100% efficiency at temperatures as low as 5°F.

Even at -15°F, some cold-climate heat pumps hold their efficiency ratings—a finding from the DOE’s Cold-Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge, which ran from 2021 through 2023 to test the latest advancements in cold-weather performance.

A 2024 heat pump study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that homeowners saw a median annual savings of $300-$650 by switching to a heat pump from an electric, fuel oil, or propane heating source.

Despite potential savings, the study concluded that the cost of heat pumps remains a major barrier—whole-home heat pump installations averaged about $19,000 in 2025, or roughly $16,500 after factoring in state and local tax credits and rebates.

Below are some of the top cold-climate heat pumps available on the market.

High-performing cold climate heat pumps

Once dismissed as a warm-weather technology, today’s cold-climate heat pumps are built to thrive in even the harshest winters. Studies from the DOE, NREL, and Efficiency Maine all show that these systems deliver reliable comfort and meaningful savings—even at subzero temperatures. While upfront costs remain a hurdle, incentives and long-term efficiency gains make them a strong investment for most homeowners.