Colorado’s winters demand a heating solution that can withstand extreme cold while providing reliable comfort and energy savings. That’s where UniColorado’s expertise in cold climate heat pumps shines. With a decade of experience installing heat pumps in CO, we have the knowledge and skills to help you electrify your heating system and take advantage of all available rebates.
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It’s a heat pump that can produce heat in low ambient tempratures.
Simply put, a cold climate heat pump is an inverter-driven heating and cooling system that works when temperatures drop below freezing. Regular heat pumps stop working efficiently around 30°F, but cold climate models keep heating your home even when it’s -13°F outside.
If it’s marketed as “cold climate,” it should:
They work, but with reduced capacity. At -13°F, expect about 60-70% of the heating power you’d get at 47°F. Most Colorado homes stay comfortable with properly sized units, but the system will run longer during extreme cold snaps or require backup heating.
Replacing electric heat or propane? You’ll save 20-40%. Replacing natural gas? The savings are smaller. Every home is different – your insulation, local utility rates, and how you use your system all matter. Payback typically takes 5-8 years after rebates.
Most Colorado homes can use a cold climate heat pump for heating, but you’ll typically need a fully matched system to qualify for rebates. Xcel and other utilities require matched indoor and outdoor components from the same manufacturer for their incentive programs. This ensures system compatibility and optimal performance in Colorado’s climate.
Yes. Almost all systems include electric resistance backup heating that kicks in automatically when needed. It’s insurance for extreme cold or emergencies. You won’t use it often, but it’s necessary for Colorado winters.
Backup systems can be typically skipped in homes smaller than 1,500 sqft or passive/ultra-tight envelope homes.
Cold climate heat pumps are sized for heating needs and typically max out at 60,000 BTU (5 tons). Many manufacturers now make 4-5 ton units that modulate down when less heating is needed. You need a professional load calculation – square footage rules don’t work for Colorado homes.
Xcel Energy offers up to $12,000 in rebates. Colorado provides a $1,500 state tax credit. The federal government gives a 30% tax credit through the Inflation Reduction Act. Visit https://unicolorado.com/rebates/ for current incentives and qualification details.
Upgrading to a cold weather heat pump is more affordable than ever thanks to cold climate heat pump rebates and incentives designed specifically for Colorado homeowners.
At UniColorado, we apply these rebates as an instant discount, meaning you get a high-efficiency cold climate heat pump for about the same price as a standard system, with no waiting for reimbursements.
Cold climate heat pumps deliver reliable heating even when temperatures drop to -13°F or below. Unlike standard heat pumps that lose efficiency around 30°F, these specially designed systems keep your home comfortable through Colorado’s harshest winter days.
At UniColorado, we recommend inverter-driven systems that automatically adjust output based on conditions, providing consistent comfort without the temperature swings of traditional heating systems.
Cold climate heat pumps integrate seamlessly with most existing Colorado homes. Whether you’re replacing an old furnace, outdated heat pump, or electric baseboard heaters, installation is straightforward and doesn’t require major structural changes.
For homes without existing ductwork, ductless cold climate heat pump options make it easy to add efficient heating and cooling without extensive renovations. You get superior comfort and lower energy bills without the hassle of major construction.
Cold climate heat pumps use substantially less energy than gas furnaces or electric resistance heaters, reducing heating costs by an average of 30-40% compared to propane or electric heating. Even when replacing natural gas systems, many homeowners see noticeable savings.
With Colorado’s rising energy prices, cold climate heat pumps become more valuable each year. Utility companies recognize this efficiency—it’s why they offer such substantial rebates for these systems.
The environmental benefits are clear too: cold climate heat pumps produce no onsite emissions and reduce your home’s carbon footprint significantly compared to fossil fuel heating.
The average cost to install a cold climate heat pump in Denver metro ranges from $9,800 to $14,600 after rebates and tax credits. The net investment for most of our customers hovered around $11,500 in Q4 2024 for the cold climate heat pumps, fully installed.
The cost of a cold climate heat pump installation is affected by:
– Your existing HVAC system type (furnace, boiler, or no central system)
– Eligbility for rebates & incentives
– Home size and layout which determines capacity
– Mechanical room location
– Current electrical situation
– Efficiency rating (higher SEER/HSPF ratings cost more)
– System features (variable-speed, dual fuel capability, smart controls)
– Electrical upgrades if needed
– Brand and warranty options
Cold Climate heat pumps are the main target of the most recent rebate changes in Colorado. Xcel customers save big – average $8,200 with UniColorado. Plus get additional savings from: State of Colorado rebates, Federal tax credits & utility incentives.
Total savings can reach up to $18,250. These are the highest rebates we’ve ever seen – don’t wait to take advantage of them.
We love incentives & rebates to save our homeowners money where we can. Ask us about what rebates you’re eligible for and how to get them.
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UniColorado Heating & Cooling brings the ultimate comfort and efficiency of cold climate heat pumps to homeowners in Denver, Centennial, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, and surrounding areas. Our expert team specializes in seamlessly retrofitting ducted, central, air source, and ductless mini-split heat pumps into homes with existing forced-air gas furnaces or those without ductwork.
With thousands of successful installations, UniColorado has the expertise to design a customized system that excels in Colorado’s demanding climate, ensuring optimal performance, energy savings, and comfort, even during the harshest winters. Attractive rebates and incentives are available, with UniColorado handling most eligible rebates upfront for a hassle-free experience.
Upgrade to a cold climate heat pump tailored to your home’s unique needs, whether you have a ducted system or require a ductless solution. Contact UniColorado Heating & Cooling today to schedule a consultation and discover how we can help you achieve unparalleled comfort and efficiency in any season.
We’re proud to consistently achieve 100% homeowner satisfaction. That’s the UniCo way.
At UniColorado, we are the experts in heat pump installations throughout the Denver metro area. As a local company with over a decade of heat pump experience, we have installed more than 3,000 heat pump systems. Our technicians receive specialized training directly from top heat pump manufacturers and hold multiple certifications in high-efficiency HVAC solutions.
We are proud to be an authorized dealer for over 30 leading HVAC brands, including being named a Mitsubishi Diamond Elite Contractor, Carrier Dealer, Bosch Comfort Home Pro, and American Standard authorized dealer.
As a leader in heat pump technology, UniColorado is committed to providing our customers with the highest quality service and equipment. Our expertise, certifications, and strong relationships with top manufacturers ensure that your new heat pump system will deliver unmatched comfort, reliability, and energy savings for years to come.
On average, the cost of cold climate heat pump installation can range from $11,200 to $24,500 before rebates and incentives in Denver. This price typically includes the installation of the outdoor cold climate heat pump unit, indoor air handling components, materials, labor, and taxes. However, the exact cost will depend on the specific system requirements for your home and the complexity of the installation process.
At UniColorado, we work diligently to help our customers maximize their savings by identifying and securing all available rebates and incentives. These can include programs such as Denver’s Climate Action Rebates (CARe), Xcel Energy’s efficiency rebates, Colorado state incentives, and federal tax credits. By taking advantage of these opportunities, homeowners can significantly reduce the upfront cost of their installation.
Cold climate heat pumps (aka “ccASHP”) use inverter compressors to transfer heat between the outdoor air and your home, including in sub-zero temperatures. The inverter compressor adjusts its speed to match heating or cooling demand, maximizing performance and energy savings.
In heating mode, the heat pump extracts heat from cold outdoor air and transfers it inside. In cooling mode, it removes heat from your home and expels it outside. Key components include the inverter-driven compressor, heat exchanger coils, refrigerant, and expansion valve.
ccASHPs maintain high efficiency and heating capacity down to -13°F or lower. By transferring rather than generating heat, they can provide up to 3 times more energy than they consume, resulting in significant energy savings compared to traditional systems.
Yes, it’s very likely that you can have a cold climate unit in your house.
If your home has existing ductwork, you’ll need an air handler and an outdoor heat pump unit to integrate with your current ductwork system. For homes without ductwork, such as those with radiant floor heating, ductless mini-split heat pumps are an excellent solution.
Regardless of your home’s setup, it’s highly likely that you can enjoy the benefits of a cold climate heat pump in Colorado. These advanced systems are engineered to operate efficiently even in sub-zero temperatures, making them a perfect fit for the region’s harsh winters.
Leading manufacturers like Mitsubishi have pushed the boundaries of heat pump technology with offerings like the Hyper Heat series. These state-of-the-art heat pumps maintain impressive efficiency and heating capacity in extremely low temperatures, ensuring your home stays warm and comfortable all winter long.
It’s important to understand that these systems are fully electric and operate differently than gas furnaces. While switching to a ccASHP may cause your electricity bill to rise, this doesn’t necessarily mean your overall energy costs will increase.
To estimate how a heat pump might impact your electricity usage, you can perform a simple calculation. First, determine your average monthly natural gas usage in therms from your utility bills. Since electricity is less energy-dense than gas (about 1/30th), multiply your average therms by 30 to approximate the equivalent electricity usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
However, ccASHPs are typically around 30% more efficient than gas furnaces. To account for this increased efficiency, reduce the estimated kWh by 30%. For example, if your average monthly gas usage is 100 therms, multiplying by 30 gives you 3,000 kWh. Reducing this by 30% results in an estimated 2,100 kWh per month with a ccASHP.
While this calculation provides a ballpark estimate, your actual energy usage and costs will depend on factors like your home’s insulation, local climate, and temperature preferences.
At UniColorado, we’ve helped numerous homeowners successfully transition to cold climate heat pumps, often experiencing reduced energy bills and improved comfort.
Yes, it is possible to install a cold climate heat pump on an existing furnace, creating what is known as a dual fuel system. In this setup, the heat pump can serve as the primary heating source.
However, it’s important to note that to qualify for rebates and incentives, which play a significant role in making cold climate heat pumps economically viable, the entire system (including the air handler and outdoor unit) must be fully AHRI matched and designed to work together efficiently. Mixing and matching components from different systems can result in reduced efficiency and may disqualify you from receiving financial incentives.
Furthermore, installing a ccASHP on an existing furnace is not always recommended. A mismatched system will operate at a much lower efficiency compared to a fully integrated, matched system designed specifically for cold climate performance.
It’s also worth considering that the cost of the air handler is usually not the most significant expense when converting to a cold climate heat pump. The outdoor unit, which houses the compressor and other key components, typically accounts for a much larger portion of the overall system cost.
At UniColorado, we specialize in designing and installing complete, high-efficiency cold climate heat pump systems tailored to our customers’ specific needs. Our experienced team can help you explore the best options for your home, whether that involves a full system replacement or finding alternative solutions that maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness. We are committed to ensuring our customers receive the best possible performance and value from their heating and cooling investments.
In Colorado, Xcel Energy’s guidelines recommend sizing cold climate heat pumps based on the heating load of your home. This approach ensures that the system can effectively meet your heating needs during the coldest months of the year.
At UniColorado, we perform thorough Manual J load calculations to determine the appropriate size for your cold climate heat pump. This comprehensive analysis takes into account various factors specific to your home, such as square footage, insulation levels, window types, and orientation. By using Manual J calculations, we can accurately assess your home’s heating and cooling requirements and determine the precise heating and cooling load for your property.
When you choose UniColorado for your cold climate heat pump installation, you can trust that our approved estimates are based on these accurate Manual J calculations. We are committed to recommending the right-sized system for your specific needs, so you can enjoy a consistently warm and comfortable home without ever needing to reach for an extra blanket.
Yes, you can have a gas furnace backup alongside a cold climate heat pump. This setup, known as a dual fuel allows you to electrify most or all of your heating needs while providing the flexibility to burn gas for cheaper prices when needed.
With a dual fuel system, you can take advantage of the high efficiency and eco-friendliness of a heat pump for the majority of your heating requirements. The heat pump will serve as the primary heating source, efficiently transferring heat from the outdoor air into your home.
However, during periods of extremely cold weather or when electricity prices are high, you have the option to switch to your gas furnace backup. This flexibility allows you to optimize your energy usage and costs based on current conditions and utility rates.
Some of the best cold climate heat pumps offer low heat systems that can be integrated with a gas furnace backup, such as:
1. Bosch BOVA 2.0
2. Carrier Greenspeed Infinity
3. Mitsubishi PAA
At UniColorado, our experienced team can help you evaluate your home’s specific needs and recommend the most suitable dual fuel system. We’ll consider factors such as your local climate, home size, and efficiency goals to determine the best solution for your property.
Mitsubishi’s Hyper Heat (H2i) series is the top choice for very cold climates, maintaining high heating capacities in extremely low temperatures. The H2i series is rated to provide 100% of its heating capacity down to -5°F and can continue operating at 75% capacity at -13°F. Some models, like the MXZ-SM Series, can deliver heating even at -22°F.
Bosch’s BOVA 2.0 heat pumps, such as the BOVB36HDN1M20G, are another reliable option for cold weather performance. They can maintain 100% heating capacity at 5°F and 76% capacity at -4°F, continuing to operate at temperatures as low as -13°F.
Trane and American Standard’s variable speed heat pumps, like the XV20i, are well-suited for cold climates, delivering 100% heating capacity down to 0°F and maintaining operation down to -10°F.
Carrier’s Greenspeed Infinity heat pumps, such as the 24VNA, provide good cold weather performance, offering 100% heating capacity at 5°F and continuing to operate at 75% capacity at -5°F. These heat pumps can function at temperatures as low as -13°F.
Cold climate heat pumps are worth it for many homeowners, especially if their home is suitable. They provide energy-efficient heating and cooling, leading to potential savings on utility bills. The benefits are even greater when combined with a solar PV system.
While the best heat pumps are rated to operate down to -30°F, in practice, most start to lose heating performance around -13°F. At this point, a backup heating source may be necessary.
