Coming in from the Cold: Heat Pump Efficiency at Low Temperatures

How do heat pumps measure up in real world conditions? 

Heat pumps are growing in popularity in British Columbia, but some people question their performance when it comes to heating in colder climates. A European study, featuring a Canadian researcher, set out to answer this question. Raw performance data from air-source heat pumps was analyzed from seven field studies with data from across Europe, Asia, and North America. The findings? In milder cold climates, like the South Coast of BC, heat pump efficiency is significantly higher than traditional gas furnaces and electric resistive heating systems. The standard air-source heat pumps can maintain an average heating coefficient of performance (COP) between 2 and 3 in mild cold climates, for temperatures as low as −10°C. 

In extreme cold climates, like in BC’s interior and northern communities where the lowest temperatures approach −30°C, performance data has shown that cold-climate heat pumps can provide heat at efficiencies up to twice that of electric resistance heating. Data from this study found that, “while heat pump efficiency declines during the extreme cold and back-up heating may be required, air-source heat pumps can still provide significant energy system efficiency benefits on an instantaneous and annual basis compared with alternatives.” 

This study confirms that air-source heat pumps continue to be energy efficient and provide sufficient heating in colder temperatures. “The widespread rollout of air-source heat pumps around the world as part of decarbonization efforts can be successful with existing technology in most areas that have space heating demand.” In addition, other heat pump technologies, such as ground-source heat pumps may have significant value in the coldest climates. 

Read more in this Business in Vancouver article.

See full study findings