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. But times have changed, technology has improved, and cold-climate heat pumps now exist, 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 be able to produce heat in frigid temperatures (efficiency-tested at 5°F), 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 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 will kick on during extreme cold events for that extra peace of mind.

If you want an additional heating source as a failsafe, it doesn’t have to come with an extra price tag; many heat pump users keep their old heating system (furnace, boiler, etc.) as a backup. 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 start to lose efficiency at or below 35°F, while newer, cold climate heat pumps maintain 100% efficiency at 5°F.

The DOE held a Cold-Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge so heat pump manufacturers could show off the tech’s energy efficiency and improved cold-weather performance. The test, which ran from 2021 through 2023, revealed that some cold-climate heat pumps still met efficiency ratings in temperatures as low as -15°F.

A 2024 heat pump study by the National Renewable Energy Library (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 significant barrier—heat pump installations can cost anywhere from $7,000 to $36,000. Fortunately, tax credits and rebates for heat pumps can help with these costs. Below are some of the top cold-climate heat pumps available on the market.

High-performing cold climate heat pumps

Cold climate heat pumps are highly efficient, but they do rely on electricity to keep your home comfortable. You can expect an increase in your electric bills if you’re replacing a gas or oil heating system, but those increases are often offset by savings in your monthly gas or oil bills. The NREL study found that up to 95% of households that installed cold-climate heat pumps saw a decrease in their utility bills overall.

But it all depends on electricity costs where you live and how much your old heating system was costing you. A Massachusetts homeowner told us her new heat pump significantly raised her energy bills, so she looked into installing solar panels to offset the cost. She found an installer through the EnergySage Marketplace in 2024 and now says her costs are so low she “looks forward” to the bill—imagine that!

Whether you’re looking for solar, heat pumps, or both, we’ve got you. Sign up for the marketplace to compare quotes and connect with your EnergySage advisor (for free) to ask questions.