What Temperature Does a Heat Pump Become Ineffective?

Living in San Diego, a heat pump can be a great alternative to a furnace for your at home heating needs. They are extremely energy efficient saving homeowners money in the long run! A heat pump is so efficient, because it extracts heat from the air around it rather than burning anything in order to heat a home. This method, however, has its drawbacks. If the temperature of the air surrounding it gets too cold, the heat pump will lose efficiency and, in turn, effectiveness. Read through our guide below to find out what temperature heat pumps become ineffective, and what you can do to combat this.

Temperature Where Heat Pumps Stop Being Effective

So, at what temperature can you expect your heat pump to become more ineffective? Heat pumps tend to start losing efficiency when the temperature of the air around it drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. At 25 degrees Fahrenheit, a heat pump becomes so inefficient that it is less effective than a standard furnace.

You may be thinking, does this work the other way? Will my heat pump become less ineffective at cooling my home when temperatures get too hot? Luckily, they do not! Even at high temperatures, heat pumps are a great way to cool your home all year long!

How To Combat Heat Pump Efficiency Loss

How can you maximize the efficiency and performance of your heat pump come winter? There are a number of great ways that can keep your heat pump running smoothly and keep money in your pocket. Some of these include:

  • Not cranking the temperature in an attempt to heat your home faster
  • Not relying on the emergency heat mode
  • Keeping your filter/system clean and free from debris
  • Making sure to defrost your system from time to time

Your home is not going to heat up any faster if you set your temperature to 90 degrees. This is just going to make it work harder and, in turn, less efficient. The greater the difference between the temperature outside and the temperature you set on the thermostat, the less efficient your system will be. If you follow these tips above, you are well on your way to an efficient heat pump all winter long.

Overall, the efficiency of your heat pump is heavily reliant on the temperature of the air around it. Too cold, and you are going to notice an ineffective heat pump temperature. Because the system pull air in and pushes it back out, these systems can be a great cost-saving way to heat or cool your home, especially if you live in an area where the temperature does not fluctuate too much. If you are interested in learning more about heat pumps, visit us here at Same Day Heating, Cooling, Plumbing. We have a number of great DIY tips and tricks, how-to guides, news articles and more on our newsletter, The Same Day Star! If you have any questions about your heat pump, or HVAC and plumbing in general, visit us today! Our certified professionals are always happy to help with any questions or issues you may have.

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