Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I live in Northern New York. Will an air-source heat pump be enough to heat my home in freezing temperatures? 

It is recommended to always have a back-up heat source in extreme-cold climates. Though technology continues to advance, it is better to have a secondary fossil fuel heat source in the winter season than to solely rely on your air-source heat pump. 

Why does my heat pump run all the time in the winter? 

Heat pumps have been built to run constantly in the winter. As temperatures drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, your home’s heat demand will match the production that the heat pump provides, requiring it to continuously work to pump air throughout the home. Cold Climate Heat Pump systems are designed to run efficiently down to temperatures ranging from 0 to -20F. Although running continuously, it has been shown that heat pumps cost much less to run than your typical combustion systems, like a boiler or furnace. 

What do I need to look for when searching for the right heat pump? 

There are a few efficiency guides to understand while searching for the right heat pump. Heating efficiency for air source heat pumps is defined by the Heating Season Performance Factor, or HSPF. The HSPF is the total of the average heating season for heat provided to the living space (measured in British Thermal Units, or BTUs) divided by the total electrical energy consumed by the heat pump (measured in Watt-hours). 

For cooling, your focus would be the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER. The SEER is a ratio calculated by taking the average cooling season of the living space when heat is removed (BTUs) and dividing it by the total amount of electrical energy consumed by the system (Watt-hours). Homes in colder climates should focus on HSPF, while warmer climates should focus on SEER ratings. 

Do I need to replace my current heating system if I want to use a heat pump? 

No. Though high-efficiency heat pumps may be configured to work as the sole heating system, they are often used to supplement an existing system. For example, by installing a heat pump in one room and using the existing system to heat / cool the rest of the home. 

Do I need ducts for a heat pump? 

One of the benefits of heat pumps is that they can be integrated into your existing duct work, but it is not required. Installing a mini-split heat pump system can be done without any duct work needed! 

Last updated August 30, 2023