Do heat pumps work in cold weather?

Heat pumps can replace gas or oil boilers for heating and cooling houses. People don't worry about the efficiency of the heat pump when it is hot, but if you are in a relatively cold area, you may be worried about whether the heat pump can work normally.

Thanks to the advancement of technology, even in the coldest winter in Northern Europe, being an ultra-low temperature heat pump can keep you and your family warm.

How does the heat pump work?

The heat pump works by using the refrigerant to absorb and release the heat energy in the air around the house. This process is realized by the gaseous-liquid conversion of the refrigerant. Even at an extremely low temperature of -20°C, the refrigerant (environmentally friendly R-410A) can absorb heat, which is why the heat pump can work in cold climates.

After absorbing the heat, the refrigerant exchanges the heat to the hot water and house heating needs of your needs through the radiator or floor heating system.

How to ensure the normal operation of the heat pump in cold weather?

Compared with the ordinary air source heat pump, the low temperature air source heat pump has been greatly improved in terms of hardware and software. In terms of hardware, low-temperature air source heat pumps use world-renowned compressors, intelligent electronic expansion valves, titanium spoiler fin evaporators and other industry-leading hardware; in terms of software, low-temperature air source heat pumps use a new generation of Nuentai jets. A number of patented technologies, such as increased enthalpy value, DC frequency conversion, automatic defrost and automatic antifreeze. Simultaneous improvement of software and hardware enables low temperature air source heat pumps to operate stably even in extreme environments of -35°C, without the need for electric auxiliary equipment.

How efficient is the heat pump in cold weather?

Heat pumps draw heat from the air and will not be as efficient in cold temperatures as in warm climates. More electricity may be required to remove heat from the air, which may result in a decrease in the efficiency of the heat pump.

When the outdoor temperature is 8.3°C, your heat pump can reach about 3.8 CoP. However, if the temperature drops to around -8.3°C, the efficiency of the heat pump may drop to around 2.3 CoP. If the outdoor temperature drops too low for the heat pump to generate heat, you may need to back up.

If you do live in a very cold climate, you may benefit from a ground source heat pump. This is because the ground temperature tends to be higher than the air temperature. Therefore, ground source heat pumps may require less electricity to operate and generate a lot of heat. Therefore, if you live in an extremely cold climate, an air source heat pump may not be the most effective way to heat your house.

Heat pump defrost cycle:

When it is cold outside, you may notice a layer of ice and frost accumulated on the outdoor heat pump main unit. this is normal. Your heat pump actually has a defrost cycle that pumps hot refrigerant back into your heat pump to melt frost and ice (similar to how a heat pump works in summer mode). At this time, cool breeze may temporarily flow out of the vent and enter the vent. Wait about 15 minutes to complete the defrost cycle.

However, if you have a lot of ice or snow, the defrost cycle may not work properly. If this happens, please turn on your "emergency heating" or "auxiliary heating" and call a professional HVAC technician immediately.

Heat pump repair:

1. In order to make your heat pump will maintain longer efficiency. You should ensure that the system is repaired every 12 months. This not only ensures that everything is running safely, but you know that the heat pump will be able to heat your house throughout the winter.

2. Remove all debris in the area to prevent airflow from being blocked. This may reduce the efficiency of the heat pump. You may also need to check the filter regularly and replace it when needed.

If you have any problems with your heat pump (regardless of the season), please contact Leomon Technology's team of professional technicians.