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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.
All staff concerned were total professionals. Sales rep Dave was like having an old friend at your house. No up selling or pressure, just good honest facts and figures. The owners and assistant who installed our unit worked quietly, efficiently and left our home clean. We could not have been happier with the service and attention we were given. We are so happy a family member recommended Twintech. She said "don't call anyone else, just call them...they are amazing". And they were!!! Thank you guys for the great work!!! A. Johnson
We are completing a large project adding an addition on to our house and couldnt be more pleased with our decision to trust Twintech with our hvac work. They removed and replaced the furnace, installed a new A/C unit, swapped our tank water heater for a tankless unit, and completed ducting and new A/C lines through the addition. Without hesitation we would recommend Twintech to anyone.
Honest, very personable , men of their word ,workmanship xcellent ,showed up when promised ,They do not try to up sell ,rather give good advice instead . Price was very fair in my opinion .We have a family member with a medical condition and I think they made us a priority .Very happy with these guys . (Nice guys ) Stu Leffler Ajax.
Very professional, courteous, knowledgeable staff. Sales staff (David Gergley) excellent in knowledge and getting the job setup and installation was very prompt. Greg and Peter (technicians) knew their stuff and stuck around after completion to make sure it all worked properly and that I understood how it all was installed and how the unit worked. Would highly recommend them! Thanks for a great job-house is now cool and comfortable.
I had Twintech install a brand new air condition back in June of this year and I'm very happy with their service. I have a very busy schedule so I sent out an email to 7 or 8 HVAC companies just to get an idea of what it would cost. Dave at Twintech and only one other company were able to give me an approximate quote through email. Many of the companies I reached out to didn't even respond. I decided to meet with Dave and he was very friendly and professional. He gave me a good quote for a name brand/energy efficient AC with installation from their certified technicians. It was an easy decision to go with them.
Within a week I had the unit installed and working perfectly. Their technicians were very helpful and answered all of my questions. I'll definitely be calling them back for all of my HVAC needs in the future.
The people from Twintech were very friendly and personable...from the salesman to the installers. The installation was done as scheduled. I love my new air conditioner. My neighbour has a York and that thing is so noisy compared to my Goodman!! Thanks Twintech!!
Thank you, Twintech. They installed an A/C in my home in the middle of a heat wave which we appreciated very much. I found the team good, not overly friendly, other than the brothers. Dave, the salesperson was awesome, and, it's because of him that I was sold on using Twintech. I had other questions about additional work I am curious about and would have liked them to follow up and provide a quote. Other than that, which ultimately is not related to the great work they did, I would definitely recommend them, although I don't believe they go outside of Durham (check with them).
We have used this company a few times so I can't remember exactly what we paid but I do know that their fees are always very reasonable.
The first time we called Greg was when our furnace conked out while we were away. He came right away, showed me the problem and fixed it immediately.
The second time was when we needed an air conditioner moved and lifted to a platform. Again, he showed up on time, completed the job quickly (including a new gas line) and the fee was very reasonable.
We have received a quote from Greg to replace the air conditioner and furnace and when we are ready to move ahead, we will be calling him.
I have no hesitation in recommending TwinTech!
Our rating for Twintech is 5/5 stars. They are very professional and efficient, and the transparency they maintain right from the preliminary assessment till the day of the work is a testament to their experience in the field. We had Twintech replace our air conditioning and furnace, and we appreciate the efforts taken by Greg.
After 18 years my Air conditioner died in the middle of a heat wave. I entered my information on Home Stars and within the hour Dave from Twin Tech responded and offered to meet me as soon as possible depending on my availability. Dave was very knowledgeable about the products Twin Tech offered and even though this was the first quote I received . I felt very comfortable in giving Twin Tech my business. maybe it was the professional approach. Needless to say that the crew with Greg and Grant arrived promptly at the time they committed to were very professional and within a few hours had the place cool. They cleaned up and one would never know that I had work done . I know that the System is new and I probably wont need to worry about it for some time. However with the professionalism displayed by the crew I feel assured that should I need to call for service Twin Tech will respond. I also know that should I need a new Heating system I will go with Twin Tech. Keep up the good work.
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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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