By Anne Fonda
Don’t believe the myth. An energy-efficient heat pump can effectively heat your home even if you live in a colder climate. Air source heat pump technology has evolved to meet the heating and cooling needs of homeowners in the coldest climates. In the United States, that includes states like New York, Minnesota, and even Alaska.
ENERGY STAR® gives the cold climate heat pump (CCHP) designation to heat pumps that meet more stringent requirements for operating in colder outdoor temperatures than your average heat pump. Products undergo third-party verification by an organization recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The following table shows the main criteria a heat pump must meet to qualify for the ENERGY STAR® CCHP designation. There are other technical requirements that won’t be listed on a product description page.
| Product Type | SEER2 | HSPF2 |
| HP Split Systems (Non-Ducted) | ≥ 15.2 | ≥ 8.5 |
| HP Split Systems (Ducted) | ≥ 15.2 | ≥ 8.1 |
| HP Single Package Equipment* | ≥ 15.2 | ≥ 8.1 |
*Excludes gas/electric package heat pumps, which are not eligible for the Cold Climate designation.
CCHPs work the same as any heat pump. In winter, they take heat energy from the outside air, draw it into the unit, and use that heat energy to heat the air inside your home.
Cold climate heat pump technology means these systems can boost heating capacity significantly by overspeeding the compressor during low ambient winter temperatures, which is achieved using a multi-speed or variable-speed, inverter-driven compressor in the heat pump.
Using a CCHP to heat your northern home has many benefits, including:
If you want to save money on future energy bills or reduce your carbon footprint by using electricity instead of burning fossil fuels, a CCHP could be a good heating solution for you. As a bonus, the heat pump system will cool your home during those heat waves that are becoming more common in northern states.
Look for a cold-weather heat pump that qualifies for the ENERGY STAR® cold climate heat pump designation. To get the cold climate designation, this means the heat pump will have:
Other features to look for that are not required, but can enhance performance and improve your comfort include:
To get the best performance and greatest long-term cost savings, work with an HVAC contractor experienced with CCHP systems. You will also want to make your home more energy efficient by sealing around doors and windows and adding insulation to minimize heat loss.
Read our blog on energy-efficient home improvements for some more tips.
Currently, the AccuComfort™ Variable Speed Platinum 20 Heat Pump has the best performance in cold weather. With a SEER2 of up to 22.4 and an HSPF2 of up to 10.5, it exceeds ENERGY STAR® requirements for a cold climate heat pump designation.
It’s our top-tier heat pump and the variable-speed compressor means it can heat your home at temperatures as low as 5° F. This heat pump is tested to provide a 70% heating capacity ratio at 5° F and deliver 100% heating capacity down to 32° F. You may still want to pair this heat pump with a furnace in a hybrid heating system for those really cold days.
We expect to have a true cold climate heat pump available soon. While exact specifications are yet to be determined, our CCHP prototype performed in temperatures as low as - 23°F, surpassing the mandatory -20°F set by the Department of Energy (DOE) in their Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge.
Wondering if a cold climate heat pump or dual-fuel system might be an energy-efficient and cost-effective way to heat and cool your home? Contact your local American Standard dealer to arrange an in-home consultation.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Chelsea Hudson, Product Manager, Ducted Variable Speed Outdoor
Learn how a heat pump works and why it may be an energy-saving upgrade to your HVAC system. Count on American Standard for quality HVAC equipment and advice.
An inverter heat pump uses a variable-speed or multi-speed compressor to offer precise heating and cooling, even at lower temperatures.
HSPF measures the efficiency of a heat pump over an entire heating season. The higher the HSPF, the more efficient the heat pump.
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