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Cold-Climate Heat Pumps Explained

If you’ve heard that heat pumps don’t work in cold weather, you’re not alone.
That used to be true.
Today’s cold-climate heat pumps are designed specifically to handle freezing temperatures—and they’re becoming one of the most efficient heating options for homes in cold regions.
At Twintech Heating & Cooling, we install and sell modern cold-climate heat pumps, and homeowners are often surprised by how well they perform—even during harsh winters.
Let’s break it down.
What Is a Cold-Climate Heat Pump?
A cold-climate heat pump is a high-efficiency heating and cooling system engineered to operate in temperatures well below freezing, depending on the model.
Instead of generating heat by burning fuel, a heat pump:
Pulls heat from the outside air (yes, even cold air contains heat)
Compresses and transfers that heat indoors
Reverses in summer to provide air conditioning
Cold-climate models use:
Advanced inverter-driven compressors
Enhanced refrigerants
Improved defrost cycles to maintain consistent heat in winter.
Do Heat Pumps Really Work in Cold Weather?
Yes—when you install the right system for the climate.
Older heat pumps struggled below certain temperatures.
Modern cold-climate heat pumps are specifically designed for winter performance and can:
Maintain indoor comfort in sub-zero temperatures
Deliver steady heat without temperature swings
Operate far more efficiently than electric resistance heat
In many homes, they can replace a traditional furnace—or work alongside one in a dual-fuel setup.
Heat Pump vs Furnace in Cold Climates
Here’s how cold-climate heat pumps compare to traditional systems: Heat Pumps
Extremely energy efficient
Lower operating costs
Provide both heating and cooling
Reduce reliance on fossil fuels Furnaces
Very strong heat output in extreme cold
Often paired with heat pumps for backup
Higher fuel costs over time
Many homeowners choose a dual-fuel system, where the heat pump handles most heating, and a furnace kicks in only during extreme cold.
What About Ice and Defrost Cycles?
You may notice frost on the outdoor unit in winter—that’s normal.
Cold-climate heat pumps use automatic defrost cycles to:
Melt ice buildup safely
Maintain heating performance
Prevent damage to the system
A properly installed heat pump will manage this seamlessly without affecting indoor comfort.
Are Cold-Climate Heat Pumps Worth It?
For many homeowners, absolutely.
Benefits include:
Lower monthly energy bills
Fewer mechanical parts than combustion systems
Quiet operation
Long system lifespan
Possible rebates and incentives
The key is professional sizing and installation.
An undersized or improperly installed system won’t perform as intended.
Is a Cold-Climate Heat Pump Right for Your Home?
Cold-climate heat pumps are ideal for:
Homes with moderate to good insulation
Homeowners looking to reduce energy costs
Properties replacing older furnaces or AC units
New installations or system upgrades
At Twintech Heating & Cooling, we evaluate your home, climate needs, and comfort goals to recommend the right heat pump system—not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Professional Heat Pump Installation Matters
Performance depends heavily on:
Correct system sizing
Proper refrigerant charge
Smart thermostat integration
Quality installation
That’s why working with an experienced HVAC contractor is critical.
Schedule a Heat Pump Consultation
If you’re curious whether a cold-climate heat pump will work for your home, Twintech Heating & Cooling is here to help.
We install, sell, and service high-efficiency heat pump systems designed for real winter performance.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation or request a heat pump estimate.
Professionally done and took care to cover all entry floors to the house for the installers to remove the old furnace and install a new furnace.
I also made recommendations of the tankless water heater that we had installed and items to address. We did not know they also installed tankless water heaters.
Price was not the cheapest nor the most expensive of my quotes. It's the quality of the installation that makes for a good AC system. The twins' knowledge & professionalism was evident in the small details:
Very clean work. Greg made sure that the refrigerant level & temperature were correct. They reinstall the insulation & vapor barrier around the wall. The outside electrical cords were secured to the wall. Proud to support this local company. Thank you.
Great team of guys came to do the work. Very professional. Arrived on time worked very efficiently and were very clean. They answered any questions we had without hesitation. The air conditioner works great and is so quiet. I highly recommend them and they don't try to up-sell anything right from the start.
The service was prompt, professional and very courteous. Competitive price. Would highly recommend this company.
Excellent workmanship, and quick response. Would recommend Twintech to anyone.
My existing 15-yr old A/C went down on me during the first major heatwave of the season. Researched my options, as well as a few different installers, and decided on Twintech.
They gave me confidence right from the beginning. Extremely knowledgeable. Their communication was excellent - always responded to questions quickly. Given we were in a heatwave, they were fully booked. However, within days they were able to fit me in due to a cancellation. Upon learning that the Amana unit I was getting installed was on backorder, TwinTech went to bat for me with the manufacturer and was able to get me the next model up within a day, for the same price - Amazing!
As far as the installation was concerned, I couldnt be more impressed. These guys were clearly very experienced and did a fantastic job. Very clean, polite, timely & informative. They even thoroughly sealed all the exposed gaps in my ductwork. Ive had plenty of heating and cooling work done in the past and have never used the same contractor twice because Ive never been very impressed. However, from now on, Ill always be contacting Twintech first!
They were very friendly and took care of everything. The install looks great (and works great), they were very knowledgeable. Installed our a/c efficiently despite the difficult install location both inside and outside and they made it work.
Phenomenal service, so glad I found these guys a few years back after being "hosed" badly by 3 other companies. I've recommended them to so many, and they all are so thankful.
This company is fantastic. Dave came out and gave me a very honest and reasonable quote, unlike a quote received from another company. I had a bunch of questions that were easily answered and when I had questions regarding heating/cooling a previously unheated room above the Garage, Dave arranged for Greg to come out for an assessment of this new space and gave me his recommendation along with his professional thoughts on all of my options.
These guys have been nothing but Professional, honest and helpful along the way. I can't recall the two other guys doing the install, but they were great as well. Good workmanship, everything was cleaned up and everything functions as promised. I could go on and on about my experience, but it's all positive so what more could you want?
Give them a call, see for yourself. If I had to buy another furnace/AC or heat pump, they'd be my first call.
I hired twin tech to convert my townhouse heating from electric to gas and install a furnace and a/c unit. I had talked with many other vendors, and received several quotes, but chose them, and very happy I did. Here are some of the reasons why:
1. They were realistic about the timeline for the work, when they could start and how long it would take. (They said upfront, it was their busy season and would need to get back to me in 3 weeks, which they did):
2. They had a quote with options for me. They were clear about the entertainment of what they would and would not do (theyd build duct work, id need another contractor to box in ductwork). This allowed me to plan as I was my own general contractor for my renovations).
3. They spoke to me in a language I understood, neither too technical nor too simple. They answered all my questions as I had them. Everyone is so lovely to work with, the sales team and the contractors who are worked in my home.
4. Its been 4 m since the work was complete. They still answer my emails and my furnace is working very well!
I unabashedly recommend! Price, customer care and quality workmanship were all amazing!
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We are very happy to recommend this company to everyone. Our furnace broke down on Sunday morning. We phoned them and before noon Grant the owner showed up. He worked on the furnace for about a hour not wanting to give up to fix the problem. The furnace was 17 years old. I was the one talking about replacing it. End result was the next day it was all done. On the Sunday Bob came over with heaters to warm up the house. We decided to replace the water heater at the same time. Thanks Grant for the excellent work. Thumbs up.
Right on time. Explained how to work the HRV in a different way so the house would not be so dry. Changed my whole house water filter for me as well. Friendly, helpful, caring service!
Very pleased with the professional service that TwinTech Heating and Cooling provided in replacing my furnace. I got several quotes from different service providers. Their price was excellent and they explained the features very well. We are very glad we went with TwinTech and highly recommend their services.
We were new homeowners in need of a second opinion. TwinTech Heating & Cooling were Amazing and professional. Very knowledgeable and great service all around. Recommend to anyone looking for honest and reliable services. Treated with respect and care. Thank you Greg, Mitch and Bob!
TwinTech is an excellent and honest company! I called them for a second opinion after being told by another company that I needed to replace my furnace. Turns out this was not the case at all! I did not need a new furnace. TwinTech did not push to make an unnecessary sale and saved me from a huge expense. Bob and Mitch were extremely professional and above all honest! I definitely recommend TwinTech!
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