What is a cold climate heat pump?

Heat pumps are an energy-efficient way to heat and cool your home while reducing your carbon footprint. In simplest terms, a heat pump is a device that moves energy from one space to another. For example, a heat pump will transfer heat from another source, like the outside air or the ground, and bring it inside, through a refrigerant system, to heat or cool your home.

How does a heat pump work?

A heat pump system works the same as your refrigerator. It will have an indoor and outdoor unit connected by a refrigerant line. The outdoor air will become a little colder than it was outside as it moves over the refrigerant coil. Then, the heat pump takes that extra energy and circulates it into the house as heat.

It might be surprising, but even cold temperatures offer a great deal of energy that a heat pump can deliver as heat into a home. For example, according to Natural Resources Canada, the heat content of outdoor air at -18°C makes up 85% of the heat contained at 21°C. So in the right circumstances, a cold climate heat pump can successfully heat and cool a home in Alberta.

Is a cold climate heat pump suitable for homes in Alberta?

While cold-climate heat pumps are efficient, they are only effective and beneficial in certain homes. A cold climate heat pump makes sense if your home is already highly energy efficient and requires less heat. For example, homes undergoing renovations to improve energy efficiency or a net-zero home could benefit from a cold climate heat pump.

However, for homes that require more energy to stay warm, like an older home without efficiency upgrades, a heat pump will not be the most efficient or cost-effective option since it uses electricity to run, which is more expensive than natural gas in Alberta. Furthermore, if the energy generated from the heat pump escapes through inadequate insulation, drafty windows and doors, it won't be sufficient to make your home comfortable. Plus, if your electrical bill soars from running a heat pump, it won't matter if you save on natural gas.

If you live in a well-insulated, energy-efficient home that generates electricity from a renewable source, like solar power, your home can be heated comfortably, efficiently and affordably with a cold climate heat pump. In this case, switching to a heat pump and moving away from natural gas might make financial sense.

Have your home accessed by an energy advisor

If you're unsure whether your current or new home is a good candidate for a cold climate heat pump, get in touch with an energy advisor. They can inspect your home and provide an accurate energy model and guidance on whether it's your best option.

Perhaps your home isn't ready for a heat pump yet, but it can be with some energy-efficient retrofits. An energy advisor can help you answer the following questions.

• Will it save energy overall and produce the cost savings you want?
• How big of a heat pump do you need, or will you need more than one to heat your home effectively?
• What type of heat pump is the best option for your home?
• Will your solar PV system offset the cost of the heat pump's electrical demand?

They can also make recommendations on types of cold climate heat pumps. Like all products, heat pumps vary in quality, features, and price.

Take advantage of the Canada Greener Homes Loan

The Government of Canada is offering interest-free loans of up to $40,000, with a repayment term of 10 years to help you undertake major home retrofits without having to worry about the upfront costs.

Learn more about the Canada Greener Homes Loan.

Industry expert, Tyler Hermanson, from 4 Elements Integrated Design contributed to this article by providing insight and advice on cold climate heat pumps for Alberta homeowners.