Too warm or too cold – this winter is shaping up to be one of temperature indecision! If you have a heat pump, the current weather will put it to work. As outside temps drop, the difference in temperature between the outdoor air and the pump’s magic refrigerant is reduced, in essence providing less thermal energy for the pump to extract and move into your home.
Alaska Heat Smart has an informative web page that you should get cozy with! A few modifications to your heat pump settings and a few cautionary bits of advice should see your pump working its best. Don’t be surprised if it can’t quite keep up. Cold weather like this is a striking reminder of the need for a well insulated and sealed home. My 1983 home is not well insulated and while my heat pump is still putting out 105F heat (according to my IR camera), the home itself doesn’t do a great job of containing it. To make up for this, I have one resistance baseboard turned on in the rarely used downstairs. In time, this heat rises into the main part of the home and is presently helping to keep us at a pleasant 69F.
If you are in the market for a heat pump, be sure to take a look at our financial assistance programs! Obtaining a free or low-cost home energy assessment is a great first step!