Key Takeaways
- Certified Cold Climate Heat Pumps (ccASHP) retain heating performance down to -25 °C using Inverter EVI compressor technology.
- The Coefficient of Performance (COP) remains above 1.8 during deep freezes, consuming up to 45% less electricity than conventional baseboards.
- The 2026 Hydro-Québec LogisVert program offers a top rate of $120 per 1,000 BTU/h at -8 °C for qualifying Cold Climate models.
How does a heat pump extract heat at -25 °C?
A cold-climate air-source heat pump (ccASHP) extracts heat from outdoor air by evaporating refrigerant at extremely low temperatures, even during harsh winters.
Equipped with variable-speed Inverter compressors and Enhanced Vapor Injection (EVI), modern units maintain up to 80% of rated capacity at -25 °C without relying heavily on resistive electric heat.
Understanding HSPF2 ratings and winter COP performance
The Coefficient of Performance (COP) measures thermal output relative to electricity input. At mild temperatures (+7 °C), cold-climate units achieve a COP between 3.5 and 4.2.
Even at -25 °C, the COP ranges from 1.7 to 1.9, which delivers nearly double the efficiency of standard electric resistance baseboards (COP 1.0).
The role of auxiliary heating systems
During extreme cold snaps below -25 °C, existing baseboard heaters or central furnaces serve as auxiliary heat to maintain indoor setpoints.
Setting a proper balance point via a smart thermostat optimizes energy costs while extending equipment lifespan.
Estimate your rebates & energy savings
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