Heat pumps already offer a cleaner and often cheaper way to heat and cool a home, but concerns over how they will perform in frigid conditions continue to crop up in colder regions.

Samsung and Oak Ridge National Laboratory are working to definitively answer any critics with a heat pump system designed for ultra-severe winter conditions.

Here's what to know

According to pv magazine, at the center of the effort is a cold-climate vapor-compression heat pump that Samsung said is meant to keep heating performance stable even below minus-22 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-30 degrees Celsius). 

The work is being tested through a joint research project with the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Rather than creating heat from scratch, vapor-compression systems transfer heat from one place to another. In this case, refrigerant takes in heat from outdoor air, which is then compressed into a hot, high-pressure gas. It is later released indoors as warmth through a heat exchanger.

That process becomes more difficult as outdoor temperatures drop and efficiency starts to fade. To counter that, Samsung is using a rotary scroll compressor together with flash injection, a combination intended to reduce energy losses, prevent overheating, and improve reliability during long periods of extreme cold.

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More background

Cold-weather performance has long been one of the biggest sticking points for heat pump adoption in northern parts of the U.S. Many homeowners still worry that an electric system will not keep up during deep freezes, even as newer models continue to improve.

The technology is set to be tested at the Field Test Lab in Fairbanks, Alaska, where the average monthly minimum temperature is around minus-40 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-40 degrees Celsius). Success could help build confidence among households in other frigid climates.

"This collaboration will be an important opportunity to prove Samsung's unique high-efficiency technology and device reliability in a cryogenic environment," commented Sung-taek Lim, vice president of Samsung Electronics' DA division, according to pv magazine.

What's being done?

Samsung's design targets the issue many homeowners care about most. That is whether a heat pump can provide steady heat when winter is at its worst. If the testing is successful, it could lead to products that make switching away from conventional furnaces easier and less risky.

Better cold-climate heat pumps could mean fewer tradeoffs. A system that stays efficient through harsh winters can reduce dependence on gas or oil heating, cut household pollution, and potentially lower monthly energy costs while still keeping homes comfortable.

If you're interested in lowering your bills but aren't ready to spend a lot up front, Palmetto's Comfort Plan includes $0-down options that can lower your heating and cooling costs by up to 50%. The plans also include 12 years of free maintenance, which can make an efficient HVAC upgrade more manageable.

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