Heat Pumps vs. The January Freeze: Can They Really Handle North Attleboro Winters?

While older heat pumps may have struggled against plummeting temperatures, modern heat pumps are more than capable of handling
freezing temps in North Attleboro and the surrounding areas.

The right heat pump system in your home means comfortable, reliable heat, even as temperatures outside drop into the single digits.
Beyond this, you can also expect lower energy costs (paired perfectly with Mass Save® rebates) and year-round climate benefits.

This may sound too-good-to-be-true, but a closer look at how these modern heat pumps tackle Massachusetts winters and the depth of
their benefits tell a different story.

Modern Heat Pumps: Made for North Attleboro Winters

If you’re looking for hyper-heat for cold climates, it doesn’t get much better than a modern heat pump.

While furnaces or hybrid systems are still a great option for reliable heat, modern heat pumps are the most efficient they’ve ever been.
There has never been a greater time for an oil to electric conversion in MA than right now.

How Modern Heat Pumps Work

Unlike forced-air systems, heat pumps don’t create heat–they move it around. Even in single-digit temperatures, heat pumps are able to
extract heat from the outside air and bring it inside, offering up a more comfortable, consistent warmth to contrast with the bitter
Northeastern cold.

Heat pumps use refrigerant and a compressor to accomplish this, operating just like a refrigerator or an air conditioning system–but in reverse.

A natural gas furnace may have an efficiency rating that hangs out around 80 or 90 percent while many heat pumps, especially cold climate models
like the Mitsubishi Hyper Heat, have a coefficient of performance (COP) upwards of 2, sometimes as high as 3 or 4.

Similar to measuring miles per gallon, COP measures how much heat you get for a unit of electricity. Because of thermodynamics (energy cannot be
created or destroyed, only changed in form), a furnace cannot operate at 100%, but a heat pump that is simply transferring heat can spend one unit
of energy to gather and distribute much more than it consumes.

The COP of your system depends on several factors, but working with a trusted HVAC company in North Attleboro, such as Briggs, ensures you find
the perfect setup for your home, needs, and expectations.

Benefits of Heat Pumps for Massachusetts Homes

Heat pumps have plenty to offer homes in the Northeast. As a Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Contractor and Trane Comfort Specialist, Briggs is prepared
to help you unlock advantages such as:

Improved comfort
Increased energy efficiency
Reduced energy costs
Year-round comfort

These benefits aren’t limited to a select few, either. Heat pumps have many different configurations, meaning nearly every household can reap the rewards.

Improved Comfort (Even in a Nor’eastern!)

Beyond keeping you warm as outside temperatures plummet, heat pumps are largely credited for their gentler, more comfortable heat.
A furnace might kick on (loudly), heat a room rapidly, then turn off, but heat pumps provide consistent heat without the noise or fluctuations in temperature.

Heat pumps with ENERGY STAR® Cold Climate certification are verified to perform well down to at least 5°F, with many models testing well below 0°F,
making them one of the best heating systems for old houses in New England.

Energy Efficiency – Reduced Energy Costs

Luckily, advancements in the heating and cooling industry are regular and remarkable. Newer heat pump systems tote energy-saving features such as:

Smart controls that automate and optimize use depending on habits, data, occupancy, and behavior
Intelligent defrost cycles that keep the coils outside frost-free and ready to rock
Variable speed compressors that automatically adjust to the home’s heating load to maintain comfortable temperatures while using minimal power
Advanced refrigerant and technology to extract heat more efficiently, reducing energy usage while improving performance

Your actual savings largely depend on what your current utility usage looks like.

While the initial cost to install central air in North Attleboro may seem like it isn’t worth the savings, Briggs is well versed in rebate programs like
Mass Save that drastically decrease your investment costs. As an RI RISE rebate contractor, we’re well equipped to help customers find ways to reduce the buy-in
and unlock these reduced energy costs and advance heating as soon as possible.

Three-in-One Problem Solving: Heating, Cooling, and Dehumidification

Heat pumps work by moving heat from one location to another. While winter weather may have you focused on staying warm, it’s easy to forget that heat pumps have
a whole other use in Summer months simply by transferring inside heat outdoors.

Dehumidification is just an extra benefit from this process. As your heat pump draws warm air from inside the home and passes it over a cold coil, moisture (the humidity)
gathers on the coil and eventually drips into a drain, leaving your home a much more comfortable climate.

Flexible Installation

There are many ways to install a heat pump in your home, making them an incredibly versatile way to update your heating system and find comfort in the rougher months.

These include:

Central, or ducted, systems that work with your existing ductwork
Ductless mini-splits, for zoned comfort
Multi-split, or hybrid, systems that connect multiple indoor units to a single outdoor unit

A professional heat pump consultation with Briggs Mechanical, dependent on an evaluation of your home and your comfort concerns, will establish what configuration
is best for your needs.

Whether you’re looking to install an energy efficient heating system, searching for high-quality heating repair in North Attleboro, or wondering how to handle your high heating bill,
our technicians are more than equipped to point you in the right direction and get you to your most comfortable home today!