Do Geothermal Heat Pumps Work in Cold Climates?

Geothermal heat pumps are often misunderstood or even thought to be a myth by homeowners.

Many wrongly believe geothermal heat pumps need to generate more heat to keep their house comfortable during the year's coldest months. So, we thought we'd answer the age-old question, "how does geothermal function in cold climates?" to put this misconception to bed. First, we'll examine the evidence for using geothermal heat pumps during the winter and some of the myths that have spread about their ineffectiveness in colder locations.

The Difference between Air Source Heat Pumps and Geothermal Heat Pumps

The difference between an air source and a geothermal heat pump is often misunderstood, leading to confusion about heat pumps' efficiency during the winter. Heat pumps that draw their energy from the surrounding air are pretty much like their geothermal counterparts but with one key difference:

Heat is extracted from the ambient air via air source heat pumps. There are benefits and drawbacks to this energy source, and one of the drawbacks is a decrease in efficiency when the outside temperature drops. The procedure is as follows: The air source heat pump must work harder to collect adequate heat for your home as the temperature lowers in cold locations since there is less heat in the air. The heat pump's efficiency will drop as a result of this. It can get so cold in some regions of the country that an air source heat pump won't be able to collect enough heat from the air and will need supplementary heating from other sources, such as electric baseboards.

How Does Geothermal Work in Cold Climates?

In contrast to an air source heat pump, a geothermal heat pump extracts heat from the earth, which is always at a constant temperature below the frost line. This means that your geothermal heat pump will still work and gather heat even if the temperature of the air outside drops. This means you'll never have to worry about being chilly or using supplemental heating again.

Now that we understand the differences in operation in cold areas, we can examine the possible causes of the widespread misunderstanding of geothermal heat pumps' seasonal effectiveness.

Sizing a Geothermal Heat Pump for Winter Heating

When comparing heat pumps to more conventional heating systems like furnaces, the sizing recommendations can be murky, leading to unnecessary stress and frustration. Geothermal heat pumps are sized, so they only produce enough heat to keep the house comfortable on the coldest day of the year. So, the heat pump will have to work nonstop on the coldest day of the year to keep up with that demand.

Nothing to worry about; this is usual for a heat pump. Traditional furnaces, which tend to be over large, can't keep up with the constant heat demand of even the coldest day of the year; thus, this is a significant departure. Even while it may be unsettling to hear your heat pump constantly humming when you're used to the gentle hum of a furnace, this is the standard for heat pumps.

When Geothermal Heat Pumps Aren’t Properly Sized for Winter Heating

Improper sizing of systems is a significant contributor to the myths that surround geothermal heat pumps as a viable option for winter heating.

In extreme cold, a geothermal heat pump may not be able to supply enough heat to your home. It happens when the heat pump or ground loop is too small to supply enough heat to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the residence, although running nonstop. In such a scenario, supplementary heating is essential for comfort. Utility costs will increase in tandem with this less efficient backup heat source.

This may occur if the installer of your geothermal heat pump chooses a heat pump that is too small for your home or if the ground loop needs to be more significant. Sometimes, this is done to cut costs or make the setup easier on the wallet. You should ask your installer if they do this, which we don't recommend.

A geothermal heat pump may be a fantastic addition to any home in colder climates. Even on the coldest winter day, it will supply your home with efficient and pleasant heating. Furthermore, no moving parts are exposed to the outside; this eliminates the risk of snow and ice accumulating on internal mechanisms. Last but not least, they maintain their heat output over time and can function without supplementary heating if they are the right size. This makes them a fantastic option for places where it gets chilly.

‍