Introducing Trane’s Low-Profile Cold Climate Heat Pumps
Summary: The answer to the question “Do heat pumps work in cold climates?” is a definite yes. Trane recently introduced three new cold climate heat pumps (CCHPs) that can keep your home cozy and warm even when the outdoor temperatures drop to 5°F.
By Anne Fonda
Electric heat pumps both heat and cool your home without burning fuel like a furnace. We specialize in air source heat pumps, which extract heat from the air and move it from where it’s not needed to where it’s needed. Any time you’re talking about heat pumps, it’s important to understand a couple of heat pump efficiency ratings: HSPF2 and SEER2.
HSPF2
HSPF2 stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. It measures how effective a heat pump is at heating across an entire heating season. The higher the HSPF2, the better the heat pump is at keeping your home comfortable in cold temperatures. For a cold climate heat pump, this rating is very important.
SEER2
SEER2 is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It measures how effective a heat pump (or air conditioner) cools your home across the entire cooling season, with temperatures ranging from 65°F to 104°F. The higher the SEER2 a unit has, the better it is at cooling your home. If you have cold winters and hot summers, you want a cold climate heat pump with a higher SEER2 rating to go along with the higher HSPF2.
What is a cold climate heat pump?
A cold climate heat pump is an air source heat pump that is especially engineered to operate efficiently in cold or frigid temperatures.
While most traditional heat pumps become less efficient at heating when the temperature is within a few degrees of freezing (32°F), our low-profile cold climate heat pumps are proven to provide 100% of your heat when the outside temperature is as low as 5°F. They can provide 70% of your heating needs down to -13°F.
What does low-profile mean?
Let’s make one thing clear. A low-profile heat pump operates in the same way as a traditional heat pump. The big difference is the appearance.
A low-profile heat pump is typically less boxy than a traditional vertical heat pump, which looks pretty much like a traditional central AC unit. While a typical Trane heat pump might have height x width x depth measurements of 51” x 34” x 37”, a low-profile unit might have dimensions of approximately 53” x 41” x 15”.
The much thinner depth means they don’t stick out as far from your home, making them ideal for installation in tighter spaces where homes are closer together.
Now, let’s take a look at our newest offerings. They all use multi-speed technology, which adjusts the compressor speed based on outdoor temperatures, working harder when needed and conserving energy on milder days.
“With the advancement of vapor injection compressor technology and consumers wanting more efficient ways to heat and cool their homes, heat pumps are becoming more and more popular for all climates. Trane Technologies has Low Profile or Side Discharge cold climate products that offer great solutions for our customers' coldest days for every budget.”
- Ryan Goodwin Senior Product Manager, Ductless and Side Discharge Products
#1: 16 Multi-Speed Low Profile Cold Climate Heat Pump
The 16 Multi-Speed Low Profile Cold Climate Heat Pump packs a lot of heating and cooling power into a sleek package. When paired with the right indoor unit, this unit boasts a SEER2 of up to 19 and an HSPF2 of up to 10, making it a great value.
Capacity and dimensions
This unit comes in 2, 3, 4, and 5-ton capacities. The 2 and 3-ton units measure approximately 38” x 39” x 15” and the 4 and 5-ton units measure 50” x 36” x 14”.
Noise level
This CCHP measures in at 60-62 dBA (decibels), equivalent to the noise level of a normal conversation.
#2: 17 Multi-Speed Low Profile Cold Climate Heat Pump
The 17 Multi-Speed Low Profile Cold Climate Heat Pump has a SEER2 of up to 18.5 and HSPF2 of up to 9.1 for year-round comfort.
Capacity and dimensions
This CCHP is available in capacities of 2, 3, and 4 tons. Dimensions are approximately 53” high x 42” wide x 15” deep.
Noise level
This unit registers at 55-62 dBA, or equivalent to the sound ranging from a quiet office to a normal conversation.
#3: 19 Multi-Speed Low Profile Cold Climate Heat Pump
The 19 Multi-Speed Low Profile Cold Climate Heat Pump is currently the best cold climate heat pump we offer. Engineered for cold weather, this high-performance, low-profile unit is an excellent heat pump for cold climate locations, but also for areas with hotter summers.
With a SEER2 rating of up to 21 and an HSPF2 of up to 9.2, this cold climate heat pump will keep you comfortable year-round, while potentially lowering your utility bills.
Capacity and dimensions
This low-profile CCHP is available in capacities of 3, 4, and 5 tons. Dimensions are approximately 53” high x 42” wide x 17” deep.
Noise level
This CCHP is our quietest heat pump, measuring in at 53-62 dBA, equivalent to a quiet office at low speed to a normal conversation at high speed.
Will I still need a furnace?
It depends. How cold do your winters get? Do you have cold snaps that last for days at a time, where the temperature falls below 5°F? If so, you might want to pair your cold climate heat pump with a gas furnace for backup heat. This is called a hybrid heating system, or dual-fuel system.
The CCHP does most of the heating, but when the temperatures drop too low, the furnace kicks in. When temperatures rise, the CCHP takes over again. Much like a hybrid car, the system chooses the most efficient way to operate at a given time.
“Integrating a furnace with a heat pump ensures dependable heating in harsh weather, maximizes energy efficiency, and leads to lower energy bills, offering peace of mind and optimized comfort.”
-Amy Gulas, Senior Furnace Product Manager
If you want to stay with all-electric, we also have electric heat kits available that offer auxiliary heat. Your local Trane dealer can help you decide if you need backup heat and which method would be better for your home, climate, and utility pricing.
Trane’s commitment to energy-efficient heating and cooling
Trane engineers have more than 60 years of experience perfecting heat pump technology. Our goal is to help homeowners find the right heat pump system for their heating and cooling needs, no matter where you live.
“Trane is committed to continuing our innovation in the heat pump space and continuing to be a leader in heat pump and cold climate technology. Look for more and more cold climate products in the future.”
- Ryan Goodwin, Senior Product Manager, Ductless and Side Discharge Products
Learn more about heat pump systems
At Trane, we are dedicated to helping homeowners across the country save money on their heating and cooling bills while reducing their carbon footprints. Aside from offering cold climate heat pumps and energy-efficient HVAC systems, we use this space to help educate homeowners so you can make an informed decision.
Explore our library of heat pump system content.
- Electrification of Heat: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know
- Cold Climate Heat Pumps: Everything You Need to Know
- Hybrid Heat Systems and How They Work
- What HSPF2 Should My New Heat Pump Have?
- When Is the Best Time to Buy a Heat Pump?
- Heat Pump Buying Guide Checklist
- Heat Pump Rebate Roundup: How to Save in Your State
For even more information, visit our Electrification Hub.
Interested in installing a Trane cold climate heat pump?
If you live in an area with cold winters and it’s time to replace your existing HVAC system, we have the best heat pumps for cold climates. They harness powerful technology to heat your home in the dead of winter and keep you cool in the increasingly hot summers.
Contact your local Trane dealer today to learn more about your options.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Ryan Goodwin, Senior Product Manager, Ductless and Side Discharge Products
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