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Cold-Climate Heat Pumps Explained
Posted On: February 2, 2026
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.
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See What Our Customers Are Saying:
Jun 5, 2018
All interactions from sales to installation were Courteous and professional. The installation was seamless and the attention to detail including clean up was outstanding. I highly recommend TwinTech Heating and Cooling.
May 17, 2018
Twintech's Salesman Dave arrived promptly was friendly and courteous, listened and assured us the installation would be completed according to our requests. The crew arrived early morning on May 11th, 2018 and worked through till late afternoon non-stop. They were very friendly, very professional, their expertise was excellent, their workmanship outstanding and the installation was completed in a timely and efficient manner. We were completely satisfied and happy with the quality of the work.
May 9, 2018
I had cold and hot spots all over my 70 yr old home. My furnace is quite new and Greg optimized the fan and furnace. The original installer just took it out of the box with factory settings and installed it- basically running at 50% of capacity. Greg also routed heat into my laundry room, yeah - so now I can renovate laundry room - thanks Greg. He is honest, professional and knowledgeable. I will be calling him back in the spring to optimize my AC as well.
May 8, 2018
Wonderful from beginning to end. I tend to fret and worry about home improvements but the excellent team at TwinTech put my mind as ease. They listen, they are patient and best of all ... the work they did is amazing! I chose the Goodman 80K BTU 2 stage furnace and the matching Goodman air conditioner. Greg, Grant and Poitr "Peter" arrived on time, took great care, explained everything to me and they answered all of my questions. They carefully adjusted the factory settings to optimize the furnace for my house and they also checked the duct work in the basement. Dave, the Sales Manager, came by to say "hello" and to see if I was happy. YES, I am happy with the work! The furnace is very quiet. I have it running on low just to circulate the air in the house and it's so much quieter than my old furnace. When I need new duct work for an upcoming basement renovation TwinTech will be my first choice. I highly recommend TwinTech. PS. They were even nice to my dogs.
Apr 21, 2018
Greg was prompt on the scheduled day of installation and the work was done well within the time estimated beforehand. Installation was neat and the equipment and scope of work was as specified in the quote. One item I must point out is that we were faced with a "No Heat" situation the day before the scheduled installation and Greg came out to address it free of charge. Not only that, but he also corrected an installation fault with our smart thermostat that was not part of the original job, again free of charge.
Mar 16, 2018
Greg came by to do a routine furnace checkup. He was very knowledgeable and professional, letting me know what's being checked/adjusted and giving me tips to ensure everything runs smooth. Very honest and upfront about what's working fine vs. what may need to be fixed/replaced. He didn't attempt to up sell anything that wasn't necessary. I'm glad to have finally found someone I can trust and rely on for all my HVAC needs - furnace, A/C, and hot water tank.
Mar 4, 2018
I'm very happy with the work that was done. Everyone from salesperson to the installers were friendly and professional. They were on time and cleaned up the job site after it was installed. They also answered all my follow up questions promptly. I wouldn't hesitate to work with them or recommend them again.
Feb 28, 2018
Thanks to the team at Twin Tech for a great job installing my new heat pump/ac unit. The guys were very polite and professional. When they left you would never have known they had been there except for the new Mitsubishi unit on the wall!! would highly recommend the Twin Tech team.
Feb 28, 2018
Installed professionally, no delays, no rework needed. Very reliable contractor and sales person. Also installed BBQ gas line and some duct work.
Feb 19, 2018
Greg and Grant are friendly, reliable, and knowledgeable HVAC professionals. The twins, Dave and the entire team provided efficient top quality service. Our family plns to use Twintech for all of our future HVAC needs.
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