How a heat pump works below freezing

It seems like magic, right? How can a system pull heat from the air when the air itself is below freezing? The secret lies in the refrigerant and the sophisticated compressor technology.

Think of your heat pump like a super-efficient reverse refrigerator. A refrigerator takes heat from a relatively cool space (the inside of the fridge) and moves it to a warmer space (the outside of the fridge). A heat pump does the same thing, but its refrigerant is specially designed to get much, much colder than the outdoor air—even when it’s well below 32 degrees F.

The refrigerant absorbs the minimal heat energy present in the outside air, boils into a high-temperature gas, and is then compressed to boost that heat even further. That super-heated gas is what warms your home.

This continuous, highly efficient cycle is why a modern Mitsubishi mini-split can provide reliable warmth even when it’s $-13^{\circ}F$ outside. They are not creating heat using expensive electricity like a space heater; they are simply moving the heat that already exists.

When you partner with Excellent Air, you’re getting more than just a system; you’re getting local experts who understand the physics of cold-climate comfort. We are here to walk the homeowner through the best heat pump option, ensuring your unit is perfectly sized and installed to perform reliably, even on the coldest days below freezing.

That is simply not true anymore.

Modern heat pumps, especially the advanced systems from Mitsubishi, are engineered specifically for our climate. This isn’t your grandmother’s old-school heat pump that fizzled out below 40 degrees. Today’s Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps utilize revolutionary Hyper-Heating INVERTER® (H2i®) technology. This tech allows the system to pull heat from the frigid outside air and maintain 100% heating capacity down to temperatures as low as 5°F, and continue heating efficiently even when the thermometer plunges to -13°F and beyond.

The reality is that even on the coldest day, there is still thermal energy in the air. Mitsubishi’s state-of-the-art compressors work harder and smarter to gather that energy and transfer it indoors, all while using far less electricity than traditional furnaces.

How a heat pump works below freezing 

Ready to find the perfect cold-weather solution? The certified professionals at Excellent Air are available to walk you through the best Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat option for your home, ensuring maximum comfort and year-round energy savings.

Trust Excellent Air Heating and Cooling, your local HVAC company, for expert AC repair in Avon, NY. Schedule a consultation today and experience why our customer-first approach sets us apart.