Thank you for taking advantage of the Lexington HeatSmart program. By sending periodic information and resources about transitioning to clean heating and cooling technology, the Lexington HeatSmart team hopes to provide you with continued support and motivation to meet your home energy goals.

Heat Pumps Are Standing Up to New England Winters

One of the top concerns homeowners have when it comes to installing heat pumps in New England is whether the system will keep them warm on the coldest winter days. Luckily, heat pump technology has advanced significantly with high-efficiency cold climate models, which can be rated to work down to -15 degrees or lower. The recent sub-zero cold snap gave heat pump owners a chance to test the limits of their systems.

The Boston Globe asked 450 heat pump users in the Boston area how their systems performed during the worst of the recent cold snap. "Most said their heat pumps kept their living space as warm as they wanted...And the best experiences were reported by people who had installed heat pumps intended for for cold climates and whose homes were well-insulated" (Boston Globe).

As the temperatures dropped in Lexington, the local HeatSmart Advisors (many of whom are heat pump owners) began exchanging emails about how their systems were holding up. While the cold brought extra considerations (e.g. whether or not to turn on back up heating systems for those who have them), our HeatSmart Advisors reported staying comfortably warm at home.

"This was our first big test since we moved our furnace out of the house and switched entirely to air source heat pumps. And they came through — warming away at 67-72 degrees the whole time, without even a space heater as backup.”

- Janice Litwin, Lexington HeatSmart Energy Advisor

While there is a lot to consider when installing a heat pump system (including whether or not to retain a back up heat system), this most recent test in New England shows the extent to which heat pump technology is more than ready for cold climates. Here are some best practices to keep your heat pumps running smoothly in all temperatures.

• Tight Home. Prioritize home insulation before designing and installing a heat pump system.
• Maintenance. Regular cleaning and servicing will keep your heat pumps running smoothly.
• High Fan Speed. A heat pump works more efficiently when set to a higher fan speed.
• Set it and Forget it. Heat pumps reach peak efficiency by maintaining a set temperature rather than toggling up and down.
• Avoid Auto Mode. Your heat pump will run most efficiently when set to "Heat" in the winter and "Cool" in the summer.

Heat Pumps in the News

• Boston Globe: "Heat Pumps Had Their First Major Local Test Last Weekend. Here's How it Went"
• Canary Media: "Americans Bought More Heat Pumps Than Gas Furnaces Last Year"
• Washington Post: "Heat Pumps are Defying Maine's Winters and Oil Industry Pushback"
• Knowledgeable Magazine: "How Heat Pumps of the 1800s are Becoming the Technology of the Future"
• Green Biz: "In Europe's Clean Energy Transition, Industry Turns to Heat Pumps"
• Boston Globe: "Boston's Public Housing is Getting a Green Makeover"

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