Posted: May 4, 2026
Heat pumps can be an excellent and efficient option for heating and cooling your home. But not all heat pumps are designed to perform effectively in all climates. A heat pump can also be a significant investment—but when you choose the right equipment, it can pay for itself through efficient performance. At Roberts Energy, we work hard to understand the latest advances in heating system technology so we can help our customers stay comfortable while maximizing efficiency to keep energy costs under control.
We can work with you to assess your home—and your needs—and determine if a cold-climate heat pump is the right option for you. We’ll also work to find the best option to keep your home and family comfortable through whatever Mother Nature throws at Vermont in the winter.
Here’s what you need to know:
Heat pumps work by moving existing heat in the air from one place to another using an outdoor compressor and an indoor air handler. In the summer, hot air from inside your home is removed—creating a cooler indoor environment. While it sounds counterintuitive, in the winter, the pump extracts heat from the outdoor air or ground and distributes it to your home.
While many heat pumps—like mini-split heat pumps—perform best in more moderate climates or as supplemental heat systems, cold-climate heat pumps are specifically designed to work well in zones where temperatures can fall to or stay around 10°F or colder. Technologies such as variable-speed and inverter-driven compressors, modern refrigerants with lower boiling points (that can efficiently absorb heat from the air even in extremely cold, sub-zero conditions), and improved heat exchanger design all allow for better heat transfer in cold temperatures.
That means heat pumps are available today that are engineered to perform in our coldest climate zones, including the Northeast, the Upper Midwest, and even Alaska.
While heat pumps are available to work well in some of our coldest climates, they may not perform as well in every home. That’s where dual-fuel systems provide a great solution that delivers both efficiency and comfort during extreme cold.
A dual-fuel system combines a heat pump with a furnace for flexibility and backup. It will automatically switch to the most efficient fuel source for the current temperature, helping you save on energy bills. It’s a savvy option for older homes that are less well insulated or draftier—conditions that can make a heat pump less efficient.
In summer, a heat pump works the opposite way, pulling warm air out of your home—much like a traditional air conditioner. Cold-climate heat pumps also perform exceptionally well at whole-house cooling. That’s because they also work as dehumidifiers. Humidity plays a huge role in how hot and sticky you feel, so they can help you feel cooler at a higher thermostat setting than a traditional A/C. Adding ceiling fans can also boost comfort at higher thermostat settings, letting you save energy without noticing the difference.
The expert team at Roberts Energy can answer all your questions and help you find the best solution for your home—whether that’s a hybrid system, a furnace, or a heat pump alone. No matter what you need, our goal is to help make your home more comfortable while maximizing efficiency and helping moderate heating costs.
We have extensive training and experience in installing, servicing, and repairing state-of-the-art heat pumps from Bosch. If you’re interested in exploring adding a heat pump to your home, contact us today!
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