Do heat pumps work in Vancouver winters?
By the Vancouver Heat Pump Pro team
Updated
Metro Vancouver is close to ideal heat pump territory. Winters are long and wet, but temperatures usually stay near or above freezing, with occasional cold snaps.
Why our climate suits heat pumps
A heat pump moves heat from outdoor air into your home. The milder the outdoor air, the less work it does and the more efficient it is. With winter days mostly in the low single digits, a cold-climate heat pump spends most of the season in its efficient range.
BC's rebate rules ask for a whole-home system that carries the house at −5°C - a temperature most of the region only sees on a handful of nights a year.
Damp weather and defrost cycles
Our damp air means frost forms on the outdoor coil when it's near freezing. The heat pump clears it with a defrost cycle: it briefly reverses, melts the frost, and you may see steam rising from the unit. That's normal.
What isn't normal: a thick block of ice that doesn't clear, ice on the refrigerant lines, or water refreezing around the base. These point to drainage, airflow or control problems - call for repair.
Cold snaps and snow
When arctic air arrives and it drops to −10°C, a cold-climate heat pump keeps running but delivers less heat. That's when backup heat may help on the coldest nights. Higher neighbourhoods - Westwood Plateau, Burke Mountain, the North Shore - get more snow, so outdoor units there should sit on a stand above typical snow depth.
Tips for winter
- Keep at least two feet clear around the outdoor unit; brush off snow and leaves.
- Don't turn the thermostat way down at night - heat pumps work best holding a steady temperature.
- Clean filters every one to three months.
- Book maintenance before the wet season.
Worried about cold snaps?
We size for your location and pick cold-climate equipment, so the house stays warm on the coldest nights we get.