General

Do Geothermal Installations Heat Pump Work in Cold Climates?

Do Geothermal Installations Heat Pump Work in Cold Climates

When we talk to homeowners about geothermal Installation heat pumps, we frequently come across misinformation, misconceptions, and myths. One of the most common misconceptions is that geothermal heat pumps will not provide enough heat for their home during the winter. So we decided to dispel this myth once and for all by answering the question, “How does geothermal work in cold climates?” We’ll begin by looking at the science behind geothermal heating in the winter, as well as some of the factors that have contributed to the incorrect belief that geothermal Installation heat pumps do not work in cold climates.

Unlike an air source heat pump, a geothermal Installation heat pump extracts heat from the ground, allowing it to maintain a constant temperature below the frost line all year. This means that as the temperature outside drops, your geothermal Installation heat pump maintains its efficiency and continues to harvest heat as usual. You’ll never need backup heat, and you’ll never be cold.

Now that we’ve established how both types of heat pumps function in cold climates, let’s take a look at some of the reasons for the confusion about geothermal installation heat pump performance in winter:

  • Geothermal Installation Sizing Winter Heating with a Heat Pump:-

One source of misunderstanding is how heat pumps are sized for winter heating in comparison to traditional heating systems such as furnaces. Geothermal heat pumps are designed to only provide enough heat on the coldest day of the year. To meet this demand on the coldest day of the year, the heat pump will need to run continuously. This is completely normal and will not harm your heat pump. This is in stark contrast to traditional furnaces, which are frequently undersized and thus do not run continuously even on the coldest day of the year.

Improperly sized systems are a major source of misinformation about geothermal heat pumps and winter heating.

There is a scenario in which a geothermal heat pump would struggle to provide enough heat to your home in the dead of winter. This happens when the heat pump or ground loop is too small and cannot provide enough heat to keep your home comfortable even when running continuously. In this case, you’d have to rely on backup heat to stay warm. Because this backup heat is less efficient, your utility bills will rise as a result.

To Top