System type
Heat Pumps
A heat pump moves heat rather than generating it, pulling warmth from outdoor air into the home during winter and reversing the cycle to cool in summer. Newer cold-climate models have expanded where heat pumps make sense as a primary heating source, not just a mild-climate option.
Good fit for
- Homes wanting a single system that handles both heating and cooling
- Moderate climates where extreme cold or heat is less common
- Households looking to reduce reliance on fossil-fuel heating
- Supplementing an existing furnace as a dual-fuel setup in colder regions
Worth considering
- Cold-climate performance varies by model — worth asking specifically how a proposed unit performs at your area's lowest typical temperatures
- Efficiency is rated by both SEER2 (cooling) and HSPF2 (heating)
- Some setups pair a heat pump with a backup furnace for the coldest days (dual fuel)
- Ductless mini-split systems are a related but distinct option — see that system type for room-by-room setups without ductwork
Questions to ask a company
- How does this model perform at the coldest temperatures typical for this area?
- Would a dual-fuel setup with a backup furnace make sense here?
- What are the SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings for the equipment you're proposing?
- How does maintenance differ from a standard AC and furnace setup?
Related services
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