Do Window Heat Pumps Really Work In Cold Climates? Here's What We Know

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Window AC units have long been popular as an affordable option for cooling during the summer, particularly for those who live in mobile homes or renters who can easily take the unit with them if they move. However, traditional models should be removed in winter. Window heat pumps make this unnecessary. Rather than having to resort to other options to heat your home, they promise to supply warmth as well as cooling. With the U.S. Department of Energy saying that the technology could lower energy bills for most Americans, it seems like an ideal solution, but do window heat pumps really work in cold climates?

The simple answer is yes, although it's not necessarily all down to the heat pump. Basically, heat pumps cool the air in the summer, pushing the hot air outside. In winter, they do the opposite, extracting heat from the air outside and bringing it indoors. Unfortunately, once the temperature starts to drop, many models lose efficiency and may rely on secondary systems within the unit to deliver heat.

The latest cold-climate heat pumps claim to have overcome the problem, providing warmth for your home even when the temperature outside is as low as -15 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition to all-weather performance, most models will plug into a standard outlet, eliminating the installation costs that can be one of the downsides of other heat pumps.

If you already own an older window AC that only cools, then adding a budget-friendly space heater might seem like a sensible idea for the winter, but it's unlikely it will offer the same energy savings as a modern window heat pump. Also, unlike traditional models that are notable for the noise they make, modern units run at a quiet 50 to 60 decibels. Many also benefit from Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can control them from anywhere.

It's not all good news. Some of the more affordable window models will provide heat only if the outside temperature is above a certain level (around 40 degrees Fahrenheit). As mentioned above, others rely on a secondary heating element when it's cold and so won't offer the same kind of savings as the latest cold-climate heat pumps.

One potential barrier to ownership is the cost. The average range for a window heat pump is $500 to $1400, and while the Gradient All-Weather model has received glowing reviews, the price is $3,800. So while they may save you money on your heating bills, the best window heat pumps that work in even the coldest climates may not be affordable enough for many renters and apartment owners.