Since the promotion of heat pumps as energy-efficient heating and cooling systems ramped up a few years ago, people in cold-winter climates like Colorado’s have been concerned about their performance when temperatures plummet. News sources are full of conflicting reports with some cold European countries claiming they work great and other sources saying they fall off dramatically when the mercury falls below 10-20 degrees F.

This led the US Department of Energy (DOE) to issue a challenge to heat pump makers in 2021 to develop heat pumps that work efficiently in the coldest climates. Field testing of cold-climate heat pumps (CCHPs) made by eight manufacturers began in the following year and concluded in 2024.

The Results Are In…And They’re Great

The Residential CCHP Challenge aimed to develop, test, and commercialize heat pumps that could deliver as much heat as needed without using auxiliary heating elements. These CCHPs would be capable of operating at -5°F or lower with energy performance well beyond current best-in-class products.

Bosch, Carrier, Daikin, Johnson Controls, Lennox, Midea, Rheem, and Trane Technologies participated in the challenge. They successfully completed prototype testing in 2022 and 2023, with some units operating at temperatures as low as -15°F while still meeting efficiency requirements. Field testing began in 23 residential sites across ten US states and two Canadian provinces. Eachsite gathered a full year of data. US testing sites were in the Northeast, Midwest, and Mountain regions.

The residential CCHPs reliably provided heat with little assistance from auxiliary elements, even during the coldest winter periods. Customer feedback and independent third-party performance evaluation enabled the manufacturers to optimize their products prior to commercial production.

In an October 23, 2024 press release, the DOE announced that all eight manufacturers in the CCHP Challenge completed rigorous product field testing to demonstrated energy efficiency and improved performance in cold weather. Cold climate heat pumps (CCHPs) developed as part of the challenge will enter commercial production as soon as this fall, manufacturers say.

Let Allstar Electrical Help You Make the Switch

If you’ve been putting off switching to a heat pump, the pros at Allstar Electrical Services are ready to help choose the right heat pump system for you,

Converting to a heat pump can be complicated. If not done carefully, it can cost more than money—it can pose serious risks to both your property and the precious things it houses.

If you’re considering investing in a heat pump, adding an EV charging station, or switching to all-electric appliances, let Allstar help you assess the costs and benefits of such a move.

Give us a call at 303.399.7420 or visit our website. We’re top-rated by the Better Business Bureau and aproudpreferred contractor by Angi’s® Home Advisor.

The pros at Allstar Electrical Services look forward to serving your total electrical needs in the coming months and for many years to come.