Heat Pumps in Extreme Cold Climates: Busting Myths and Misconceptions
While variable-capacity HVAC technology was introduced to the U.S. over 30 years ago and is very common abroad, many consumers in the U.S. are still getting familiar with heat pump technology. Join us as we debunk some of the most common “myths” about these systems!
Myth: Heat Pumps Are Only for Mild and Warm Climates
The Truth:
As we head into heating season and homeowners look to upgrade their HVAC systems ahead of the winter cold, we hear this concern often: “outdoor temperatures here are too cold for a heat pump to heat my home.”
This is one myth we’re particularly enthusiastic about debunking. While historically, homeowners in cold climates had to rely on electric baseboard heaters or fossil fuel-burning furnaces, heat pump technology’s come a long way.
Heat pumps move heat using refrigerant. In heating mode, the outdoor unit absorbs heat from outdoor air with refrigerant and then transfers the heat to the indoor unit to warm the home. This all-electric heat transfer method is more efficient than fuel-burning systems and works effectively even in freezing weather. Older heat pumps and conventional single-stage models struggled to maintain set points when outdoor temperatures dropped below 40° F. Today’s variable-capacity heat pumps consistently outperform conventional alternatives in all climates!
Winter-Ready Technology
Reliable heating is essential for homeowners in cold climates. Winter can come on hard and fast, and you want a system you can count on when the temperatures drop. Fortunately, Mitsubishi Electric has an energy-efficient, high-performance solution for extreme cold.
Enjoy unparalleled heating performance from one of our all-climate heat pump systems with Hyper-Heating INVERTER® (H2i®) technology. Hyper-heating systems can perform at 100 percent of rated capacity in outdoor ambient temperatures as low as 5° F with guaranteed operation down to -13° F. Available in select systems, H2i plus® technology increases the performance to 100 percent at temperatures as low as -5° F.
How do they work? In cold climates, heat pumps typically experience a decrease in pressure, refrigerant flow rate and operational capacity. Variable-capacity heat pumps with Hyper-Heating INVERTER (H2i or H2i plus technology) allow for higher compressor speeds and pressures at lower outdoor air temperatures. This special function provides superior heat transfer performance.
Homeowners, whether you need a whole-home system replacement or want to add personalized heating to a single room, consider a Mitsubishi Electric heat pump system when you’re ready to upgrade. You’ll enjoy superior comfort, improved efficiency and performance you can count on, even on the chilliest winter days.
For more information about our variable-capacity heat pump systems and their benefits, visit MitsubishiComfort.com.
