Heat pumps have come a long way. Many homeowners in Box Elder County and Cache Valley now ask whether one could heat and cool their home, either on its own or alongside a gas furnace. This guide explains how heat pumps work, how they hold up in a Northern Utah winter, and what to expect if you add one.
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump looks a lot like a central air conditioner. It has an outdoor unit, an indoor coil and refrigerant lines between them. The difference is a part called a reversing valve. It lets the system run in both directions.
- In summer, it pulls heat out of your home and releases it outside, just like an AC.
- In winter, it pulls heat out of the outdoor air and moves it inside.
Even cold air holds some heat. A heat pump does not burn fuel to make heat. It moves heat that already exists, which is why it can use less energy than heating with electric resistance alone.
Do heat pumps work in Utah winters?
This is the first question most people ask, and it is a fair one. Our winters bring sub-zero nights, and Cache Valley inversions can keep it cold for days.
Newer cold-climate models
Older heat pumps lost a lot of output as temperatures dropped. Many current models use variable-speed compressors that keep working well into cold weather. They still lose some capacity on the coldest nights, so the system needs a backup plan.
Backup heat
Every heat pump in our climate needs a second heat source. That can be electric heat strips in the air handler, or a gas furnace that takes over when it gets very cold.
Dual-fuel systems
A dual-fuel setup pairs a heat pump with a gas furnace. The heat pump handles cooling and the milder heating days. When the temperature falls past a set point, the furnace takes over. For many homes with gas service, this is a practical way to use a heat pump without giving up the furnace.
Heat pump or furnace and AC?
There is no single right answer. Here is how the two setups compare on the points that matter most to homeowners.
Comfort
Heat pumps deliver air that feels warm but not hot, and they run longer, steadier cycles. Some people love the even heat. Others prefer the hotter blast from a gas furnace.
Energy use
On mild days, a heat pump is very efficient. On the coldest nights, a gas furnace may cost less to run. A dual-fuel system lets you use whichever is cheaper at the time.
Your home's setup
If your home has no gas line, a heat pump can replace electric baseboard or an old electric furnace. If you already have a good furnace and your AC is failing, a heat pump in place of the AC is worth a look.
We will lay out the options for your home and let you choose. Read more on our heat pump installation page.
Installation details that make a difference
A heat pump only performs as well as it is installed. These are the steps we pay close attention to, and the ones worth asking any installer about.
Sizing for heating, not just cooling
An air conditioner is sized for the hottest days. A heat pump also has to be sized for cold days, which in our area is the harder job. We look at your home's insulation, windows and layout to find a size that handles both seasons without short-cycling in summer.
Where the outdoor unit sits
In winter, a heat pump makes water as it defrosts. That water has to drain away instead of freezing into a block under the unit. We set the outdoor unit on a raised stand or pad, away from roof edges that drip, and where snow will not drift over it.
Thermostat setup
Heat pumps need a thermostat that knows how to manage backup heat. Set up wrong, the backup strips or furnace kick on far too often. We program the thermostat during install and show you what the settings mean. If you want an upgrade, see our smart thermostat page.
Ductwork check
Heat pumps move a bit more air than some older systems were built for. Leaky or undersized ducts can rob a new heat pump of the comfort you paid for. We check them before we recommend equipment.
Reading your thermostat in heat pump mode
Heat pump thermostats show a few words that confuse many homeowners.
- Aux heat means the backup heat is helping the heat pump. That is normal on cold nights or when you raise the temperature a lot at once.
- Em heat means emergency heat. The heat pump is off and only the backup is running. Use it only if the heat pump has failed.
- Defrost means the system is melting frost off the outdoor coil. It will return to heating on its own.
One tip: avoid big setbacks at night. Raising the temperature several degrees in the morning can call for backup heat, which costs more to run than the heat pump.
Common heat pump problems
Heat pumps run all year, so they see more hours than an AC that sits idle all winter. These are the issues we see most.
Ice that does not clear
Frost on the outdoor coil in winter is normal. The system runs a defrost cycle to melt it, and you may see steam rising from the unit. A solid block of ice that stays is not normal. It can point to a failed defrost control, a sensor problem or low refrigerant.
Cool air in heating mode
Heat pump air feels cooler than furnace air, so some of this is normal. If the air feels truly cold, the reversing valve may be stuck or the system may be running in defrost too long.
Backup heat runs all the time
If your thermostat shows auxiliary or emergency heat often on mild days, the heat pump may not be carrying its share. Your electric bill will tell you quickly.
Strange noises
A whoosh when the system switches into defrost is normal. Grinding, rattling or loud buzzing is not.
Our heat pump repair service covers all of these, and we offer 24/7 emergency service when your heat goes out.
Keeping a heat pump healthy
Because a heat pump works in every season, it benefits from care twice a year: once before cooling season and once before heating season.
- Change or check the filter every month.
- Keep snow, ice and leaves away from the outdoor unit. Make sure it sits high enough that it is not buried by drifts or sitting in meltwater.
- Do not chip ice off the coil. Let the defrost cycle work, and call if it cannot keep up.
- Keep at least two feet of open space around the outdoor unit.
Our heat pump maintenance visit cleans the coils, checks refrigerant levels, tests the reversing valve and defrost controls, and checks the backup heat. Our VIP Maintenance Plan includes a yearly 88-point inspection and priority scheduling.
When to replace a heat pump
Heat pumps work harder than air conditioners because they run in every season. If yours is aging, needs frequent repairs or no longer keeps up in cold weather, our heat pump replacement page explains the choices. We install Goodman and Amana heat pumps and offer free estimates on new system installations. Financing is available through our lending partners.
Ask us about heat pumps
Thinking about a heat pump or worried about the one you have? Call (435) 730-2536. We are in the office Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM, and offer 24/7 emergency service. You can also schedule online.
Common questions
Why is steam coming off my heat pump in winter?
That is the defrost cycle melting frost off the outdoor coil. It is normal and usually lasts only a few minutes.
Can a heat pump be my only heat source in Northern Utah?
It can, with electric backup heat for the coldest nights. Many homes with gas service choose a dual-fuel setup that keeps the furnace as backup.
What is emergency heat on my thermostat?
It turns off the heat pump and runs only the backup heat. Use it only if the heat pump has failed, since it costs more to run.
Do heat pumps need different maintenance than an AC?
They need the same coil, refrigerant and electrical checks, plus tests of the reversing valve, defrost controls and backup heat. Twice a year is ideal.