Heat pumps are becoming a popular option for homeowners who want one HVAC system that can provide both heating and cooling. But if you live in Colorado Springs, you may have an important question before considering one: Can a heat pump really keep your home warm during a Colorado winter?
The short answer is yes. Modern heat pumps can operate in temperatures below freezing, and cold-climate heat pumps are designed specifically for colder regions. However, choosing the right equipment and properly sizing the system are especially important in a climate like Colorado Springs.
Depending on the home and equipment, a heat pump may provide most or all of the heating you need. Other homes may benefit from supplemental electric heat or a dual-fuel system that combines a heat pump with a gas furnace.
Understanding how these systems perform in cold weather can help you decide whether a heat pump is a good fit for your Colorado Springs home.
How Does a Heat Pump Work in Cold Weather?
A furnace creates heat by burning fuel or using electric resistance. A heat pump works differently. Instead of creating heat, it moves heat from one place to another.
During the summer, a heat pump works much like an air conditioner. It removes heat from inside your home and transfers it outdoors.
During the winter, the process reverses. The heat pump collects heat from the outdoor air and transfers it inside your home.
This may sound surprising when the temperature outside is below freezing, but cold outdoor air still contains thermal energy. A heat pump uses refrigerant and a compressor to collect that energy and raise its temperature before transferring the heat indoors.
This allows the same HVAC system to provide both heating and cooling throughout the year.
Do Heat Pumps Work Below Freezing?
Yes. Modern heat pumps can continue operating when outdoor temperatures fall below freezing.
Older heat pumps developed a reputation for struggling in cold climates. That reputation still causes some homeowners to assume heat pumps are only practical in areas with mild winters.
Today’s technology has changed that.
Cold-climate heat pumps are designed to maintain heating capacity at much lower outdoor temperatures than many older systems. Some models are designed to operate at temperatures well below 0°F.
However, there is an important difference between asking whether a heat pump can operate at a certain temperature and whether it can provide all the heat a particular home needs at that temperature.
Heat-pump performance varies by model. The heating needs of each home also vary based on insulation, windows, air leakage, size, layout, and other factors.
That’s why equipment selection and proper system sizing are so important when installing a heat pump in Colorado Springs.
What Is a Cold-Climate Heat Pump?
A cold-climate heat pump is designed to provide effective heating at lower outdoor temperatures.
Many modern systems use variable-speed or inverter-driven compressors. Instead of simply turning on at full capacity and then shutting off, these systems can adjust their output based on how much heating or cooling the home needs.
This allows the system to operate at lower output during milder weather and increase its heating output when temperatures fall.
Cold-climate heat pumps may also use improved refrigerant controls and other technology designed to maintain performance during colder conditions.
If your experience with heat pumps comes from equipment installed 15 or 20 years ago, today’s systems may perform very differently.
However, not every new heat pump is automatically designed for extreme cold. Homeowners should consider the low-temperature performance of the specific equipment being installed.
What Happens to a Heat Pump When Temperatures Drop?
As the outdoor temperature falls, two things happen at the same time.
Your home generally needs more heat because it is losing heat to the colder outdoor environment. At the same time, the heat pump has to work under more demanding conditions to collect heat from the outdoor air.
Depending on the equipment, its heating capacity and efficiency may decline as outdoor temperatures continue to fall.
Eventually, the amount of heat the home needs may become greater than what the heat pump can provide by itself. HVAC professionals sometimes refer to the temperature where this occurs as the system’s balance point.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the heat pump stops working.
Instead, supplemental heat may help the system maintain the desired indoor temperature.
Why Does Heat Pump Air Feel Cooler Than Furnace Air?
Homeowners switching from a gas furnace to a heat pump sometimes notice that the air coming from their vents doesn’t feel as hot.
That doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong.
A gas furnace produces high-temperature heat through combustion. A heat pump typically delivers heat at a lower temperature and may operate for longer periods to maintain a steady indoor temperature.
The air coming from the vents can therefore feel less hot against your hand even while the heat pump is successfully warming your home.
Longer heating cycles can also be normal for a heat pump. The goal isn’t to produce the hottest possible air. It’s to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature efficiently.
What Is a Heat Pump Defrost Cycle?
During cold weather, moisture can freeze on the heat pump’s outdoor coil. A small amount of frost can be a normal part of winter operation.
Heat pumps are designed to periodically remove this frost through a process called a defrost cycle.
During defrost, the system temporarily changes how it operates so it can warm the outdoor coil and melt accumulated frost.
You may notice a temporary change in airflow or air temperature during this process. You might also see water or steam around the outdoor unit as the frost melts.
These conditions don’t automatically mean the heat pump is malfunctioning.
However, an outdoor unit that remains covered in heavy ice, doesn’t appear to complete its defrost cycles, or cannot maintain the temperature inside your home should be inspected by an HVAC professional.
Does a Heat Pump Need Backup Heat in Colorado Springs?
Not necessarily. Whether supplemental heat is needed depends on the heat pump, the home, and outdoor conditions.
There are several ways an HVAC system can provide additional heat when needed.
Electric Auxiliary Heat
Some heat-pump systems include electric resistance heating that can provide additional heat during colder conditions.
If your thermostat displays “AUX HEAT,” it generally means supplemental heating is assisting the heat pump.
Auxiliary heat coming on occasionally doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong. It may be part of the way the system was designed to operate during colder weather.
However, electric resistance heating generally uses more electricity than normal heat-pump operation. If auxiliary heat seems to run excessively, it may be worth having the system checked.
Dual-Fuel or Hybrid Heating
Another option is a dual-fuel system.
A dual-fuel system combines an electric heat pump with a gas furnace. The heat pump can handle heating during conditions where it operates effectively, while the furnace is available when gas heat makes more sense for the system.
The controls can switch between the two heating sources based on how the system is designed and configured.
This can be an attractive option for Colorado Springs homeowners who want the heating and cooling capabilities of a heat pump while keeping a gas furnace as another source of heat.
Dual-fuel isn’t automatically the best choice for every home, but it is one option worth considering, especially if your home already has natural gas service.
How Does the Colorado Springs Climate Affect Heat Pumps?
Choosing HVAC equipment should always take the local climate into account. That’s particularly important in Colorado Springs.
Cold Winter Temperatures
Colorado Springs experiences freezing temperatures and periods of much colder weather during the winter.
A heat pump installed here should therefore be evaluated based on its cold-weather performance, not just how efficiently it operates when temperatures are mild.
The system needs to provide enough heating capacity to meet the home’s needs as outdoor temperatures fall.
Changing Temperatures
Colorado weather can change quickly. A relatively mild day can be followed by much colder conditions.
Variable-capacity heat pumps can adjust their output as heating demand changes. Instead of operating at only one output level, the system can increase or decrease capacity based on what the home needs.
High Elevation
Colorado Springs sits roughly 6,000 feet above sea level, adding another consideration when designing an HVAC system.
Elevation can affect HVAC system design and installation requirements. This is especially important with combustion equipment such as a gas furnace because manufacturers may have specific installation requirements for equipment operating at higher elevations.
If a heat pump is being paired with a gas furnace as part of a dual-fuel system, both pieces of equipment need to be properly selected and configured for the home and local conditions.
Why Proper Heat Pump Sizing Matters in Colorado Springs
Choosing the right size heat pump involves more than looking at the square footage of your home.
A system that is too large or too small may not provide the comfort or performance you expect.
An HVAC professional can perform a load calculation that considers factors such as:
- The size and layout of the home
- Insulation levels
- Windows and doors
- Air leakage
- Local outdoor temperatures
- The home’s heating requirements
- The heat pump’s performance at lower temperatures
An oversized system may cycle more frequently than necessary and may not provide ideal comfort.
An undersized system may have difficulty meeting the home’s heating needs during colder weather and may rely more heavily on supplemental heat.
For a cold-climate heat pump, it’s especially important to compare the home’s heating needs with the equipment’s actual heating capacity as outdoor temperatures fall.
Simply replacing an existing furnace with equipment based on the old system’s size isn’t always the best approach.
Is a Heat Pump More Efficient Than a Furnace?
Heat pumps and furnaces produce heat in very different ways, which can make direct comparisons difficult.
A heat pump moves heat rather than creating it through combustion. Under many operating conditions, this allows a heat pump to deliver more heat energy than the electrical energy it consumes.
A gas furnace burns fuel and converts that energy into heat.
However, higher equipment efficiency doesn’t automatically mean lower heating bills in every situation.
Actual operating costs can depend on several factors, including:
- Electricity rates
- Natural gas rates
- Outdoor temperatures
- Heat-pump efficiency
- Furnace efficiency
- How much heat the home needs
- How often supplemental heat operates
For homeowners comparing a heat pump with a furnace, both equipment efficiency and local energy costs should be part of the decision.
Can a Heat Pump Replace a Furnace in Colorado Springs?
For some homes, yes.
A properly selected cold-climate heat pump may be able to serve as the primary heating system. Other homes may use a heat pump with electric supplemental heat.
A third option is a dual-fuel system that pairs a heat pump with a gas furnace.
Each approach has advantages and tradeoffs.
The right choice depends on the home’s heating needs, existing HVAC equipment, access to natural gas, utility costs, comfort preferences, and the performance of the specific heat pump being considered.
That’s why the question isn’t simply whether heat pumps work in Colorado Springs.
A better question is whether a particular heat pump and HVAC system design are right for your home.
Is a Heat Pump Right for Your Colorado Springs Home?
A heat pump may be worth considering if you’re replacing an aging heating or cooling system or looking for a different way to heat and cool your home.
You may want to explore a heat pump if:
- You need to replace an older HVAC system.
- You want one system that provides both heating and cooling.
- You’re interested in reducing your reliance on combustion heating.
- You want efficient heating during milder winter conditions.
- You’re considering a dual-fuel heating system.
- You’re making other improvements to your home’s energy efficiency.
The best way to determine whether a heat pump makes sense is to evaluate your home’s heating and cooling needs and compare them with the performance of the equipment you’re considering.
Choosing a Heat Pump for Colorado Springs
Modern heat pumps have changed considerably from the systems many homeowners remember. Cold-climate models can continue providing heat at temperatures below freezing, making heat pumps a realistic option for many Colorado Springs homes.
But Colorado’s cold winters and high elevation make equipment selection and system design especially important.
The heat pump’s low-temperature heating capacity, your home’s heating load, and whether supplemental or backup heat is needed should all be considered before choosing a system.
If you’re considering a heat pump in Colorado Springs, High Altitude Heating & Air can evaluate your home’s heating and cooling needs and help you compare heat-pump, furnace, and dual-fuel options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heat Pumps in Colorado Springs
Do heat pumps work when it’s below freezing?
Yes. Modern heat pumps can operate below freezing, and cold-climate models are specifically designed for low-temperature heating. Actual heating capacity and efficiency vary depending on the equipment and outdoor temperature.
How cold is too cold for a heat pump?
There isn’t one temperature that applies to every heat pump. Low-temperature operating limits and heating capacity vary by model. The important question is whether the specific heat pump can provide enough heating capacity to meet your home’s needs as outdoor temperatures fall.
Does a heat pump need a furnace in Colorado?
Not necessarily. Some homes can use a heat pump as their primary heating system with electric supplemental heat when needed. Other homeowners may choose a dual-fuel system that pairs a heat pump with a gas furnace. The appropriate setup depends on the home, equipment, local conditions, and homeowner’s priorities.
Why does my heat pump run so much during winter?
Heat pumps often operate for longer periods than furnaces, especially during colder weather. Longer operation isn’t automatically a problem as long as the system is maintaining the desired indoor temperature and operating normally.
What does AUX heat mean on my thermostat?
AUX usually means supplemental heat is assisting the heat pump. This can be normal during colder conditions or when the system needs additional heating capacity. If auxiliary heat seems to operate excessively, an HVAC technician can check whether the system is working as intended.
Can a heat pump both heat and cool my home?
Yes. A heat pump can reverse the direction in which it moves heat. During summer, it transfers heat out of your home. During winter, it transfers heat from the outdoor air into your home, allowing one HVAC system to provide both heating and cooling.
