Do Heat Pumps Work in Winter? What You Need to Know About Year-Round Comfort

Hey everyone — Samantha here! ❄️

If you’ve ever heard someone say, “Heat pumps don’t work when it’s cold,” let’s clear that up right now. As someone who’s lived through snowy Ohio winters with a through-the-wall Amana 9,200 BTU AC and Heat Pump Combo, I can promise you — they absolutely do work.

But like any technology, they have their sweet spots. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how heat pumps keep working even in freezing weather, when you might want supplemental heat, and why they’re still more efficient than electric baseboards or space heaters — even when it’s 20°F outside.

I’ll also share what it actually feels like to rely on one through an entire winter season.

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1. Let’s Bust the Myth: Heat Pumps Do Work in Winter

Heat pumps don’t “create” heat — they move it. Even when it’s cold outside, there’s still thermal energy in the air. Your Amana’s heat pump system pulls that heat in, compresses it, and delivers it inside your home.

It’s like how a refrigerator works in reverse — instead of moving heat out of the fridge, it moves heat into your room.

Here’s how:

1. The outdoor coil absorbs heat from the outside air.

2. The refrigerant compresses that heat to raise its temperature.

3. The indoor coil releases that warmth inside your home.

Even when outdoor temperatures dip into the 20s, there’s enough energy in the air for your heat pump to keep working efficiently.

🔍 According to the U.S. Department of Energy, modern air-source heat pumps can deliver up to three times more heat energy than the electricity they consume — even in cold climates.

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2. How Heat Pumps Pull Heat from Freezing Air 🌡️

This is the part that sounds like magic, but it’s really just smart physics.

Even air at 0°F contains molecular energy. Your Amana’s refrigerant is engineered to evaporate (boil) at extremely low temperatures — below -10°F, in fact. That means it can still absorb heat energy when you can’t even feel any warmth outside.

The compressor then raises that temperature and transfers it indoors.

Example:
At 30°F outdoor temp, your heat pump might deliver air around 90–100°F indoors — plenty warm enough for comfort, especially in smaller spaces like bedrooms or offices.

🧊 Note: Efficiency does drop slightly below 25°F. That’s when supplemental or backup heat may kick in automatically.

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3. When Supplemental Heat Is Helpful 🔥

If you live somewhere that regularly dips below 20°F, a little backup help keeps your comfort consistent.

💡 Three common backup options:

1. Built-in electric resistance coils: Many Amana units have these as backup. They activate only when outdoor temps are too low for the heat pump alone.

2. Portable space heater: Great for spot-warming small areas on extra-cold mornings.

3. Central or baseboard heat: Let your main system handle most of the load while your Amana wall unit supplements local comfort.

✅ Tip: If you hear your unit’s fan running but not heating during extreme cold, it might have automatically switched to its defrost mode. It’ll resume heating once ice on the outdoor coil clears.

(Reference: Energy Star Cold Climate Heat Pump Guidelines)

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4. Efficiency: Heat Pumps vs. Electric Resistance Heat ⚖️

Now let’s talk energy. Many people assume resistance heaters (like baseboards or portable units) are cheaper, but they’re not — they just convert 1 watt of electricity into 1 watt of heat.

Heat pumps, on the other hand, move heat instead of generating it.

*Based on 500 sq ft room, moderate insulation, and average electric rates of $0.14/kWh.

⚙️ In simple terms: for every dollar you spend, a heat pump can deliver up to three dollars’ worth of heat. That’s a 200%–300% efficiency advantage.

According to Energy.gov, upgrading from resistance heat to a heat pump can reduce winter electricity use by up to 50%.

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5. How Cold Is Too Cold?

Modern Amana wall units with heat pumps can heat efficiently down to around 20°F. Below that, they still operate — just less efficiently.

Performance Snapshot:

🧤 Pro tip: When you know a cold front’s coming, pre-warm your room a few degrees higher. The unit won’t have to work as hard maintaining comfort.

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6. What It Feels Like in Real Life (Samantha’s Winter Story)

When I first switched to my Amana through-the-wall heat pump, I was skeptical. My old baseboard heaters kept the room hot — but expensive.

That January, temperatures hit the low 20s for nearly a week. Here’s what I noticed:

• The air coming out wasn’t scorching hot — more like a steady, warm breeze.

• It ran longer cycles but kept the room consistently cozy.

• My electric bill dropped by about 35% compared to the previous winter.

• Best of all? The air wasn’t dry and stuffy anymore.

The only time I added extra heat was one night when it hit 10°F. I plugged in a small 1,500-watt heater for two hours — that’s it.

🌬️ My takeaway: the comfort felt “gentle” rather than blast-furnace hot, and I never woke up freezing.

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7. Keeping Efficiency High in Cold Weather

If you want your wall unit to keep performing like a champ, a few small habits make a huge difference.

🧽 Keep the Coils Clean

Dust and frost reduce heat transfer. Wipe the exterior vents and vacuum the filter monthly.

💨 Don’t Block Airflow

Keep furniture at least 2–3 feet away from your unit.

💧 Check Drainage

In heat mode, condensation can freeze. Make sure your wall sleeve slopes outward slightly so water drains away properly.

🌡️ Use “Auto” Fan Mode

Let your unit decide when to switch between heat and fan — it’s more efficient and helps balance air temperature.

💡 Energy Star recommends regular filter cleaning to maintain up to 15% more efficiency.

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8. Heat Pump Comfort vs. Traditional Systems

If you already have electric service and want a year-round system that’s efficient, quiet, and self-contained, your Amana wall heat pump is a winner.

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9. When Backup Heat Is a Smart Investment

Even though Amana’s wall units handle most winter days easily, having a small supplemental heater on standby is smart for:

• Cold snaps below 15°F

• Drafty or large rooms

• High ceilings

• Older homes with poor insulation

If your goal is all-season comfort with maximum energy savings, pair your wall unit with smart thermostats or energy monitors to track performance and usage.

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10. The Bottom Line

So, do heat pumps work in winter?

✅ Absolutely.
They don’t generate heat — they transfer it, even from cold outdoor air.

✅ They’re more efficient.
You’ll save money and enjoy consistent comfort compared to resistance heat.

✅ They’re versatile.
One system handles both cooling and heating — perfect for compact homes, offices, or additions.

And as someone who spent a full January relying on my Amana wall unit, I can tell you firsthand: it works better than expected, costs less to run, and feels every bit as cozy as traditional systems — just without the sky-high utility bills.

If you’re ready to upgrade or planning your next home project, consider installing a through-the-wall AC with a heat pump. It’s one of the most practical ways to enjoy year-round comfort with energy savings — no bulky ducts, no complicated setup, just dependable heating and cooling when you need it most.

In the next blog, you will know "How Efficient Is the Amana 9,200 BTU Unit?".