Heat pumps have historically been considered less suitable for Colorado’s cold winters, but modern cold-climate heat pump technology has significantly improved performance at low outdoor temperatures. Today’s cold-climate heat pumps operate efficiently down to well below zero degrees Fahrenheit, making them a viable option for Centennial homeowners looking for a single system that provides both heating and cooling efficiently. The combination of lower energy consumption and available utility rebates has made heat pumps an increasingly attractive choice for Centennial homes replacing aging HVAC equipment.

For heat pump systems that are developing problems, our heating repair team handles heat pump diagnostics and repair. For homeowners weighing heat pump installation against a traditional furnace and AC replacement, our heating replacement team can price both options. See all Centennial HVAC services we offer.

• Heat pump installation for Centennial homeowners replacing traditional HVAC systems who want the efficiency and flexibility of a single system for both heating and cooling.
• Heat pump repair for systems that are not heating or cooling effectively, including refrigerant leak diagnosis, reversing valve issues, and defrost cycle problems.
• Heat pump replacement for aging systems past their useful service life that need to be swapped for newer, more efficient equipment.
• Heat pump tune-up and maintenance to keep systems running at peak efficiency through both heating and cooling seasons.
• Auxiliary heat integration for heat pump systems that need a backup heat source for extreme cold conditions in Centennial winters.

Here are the heat pump projects our Centennial technicians handle most often.

Are Heat Pumps Effective in Centennial’s Climate?

Yes, with the right equipment selection. Older heat pump technology lost efficiency quickly as outdoor temperatures dropped below freezing, which made them a poor fit for Colorado winters. Modern cold-climate heat pumps, particularly models rated for operation down to minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, perform well through Centennial’s typical winter temperatures. They do draw more electricity during the coldest periods, which is why many installations include a backup electric or gas heat strip for extreme cold days. For most Centennial winters, a properly sized cold-climate heat pump will handle the heating load without requiring backup heat.

The efficiency advantage of a heat pump is that it moves heat rather than generating it. A heat pump can deliver two to three units of heating energy for every unit of electricity consumed, which is significantly more efficient than electric resistance heating and competitive with gas heating at current utility rates. This is the core of the efficiency case for heat pumps in Centennial.

What Is the Difference Between a Heat Pump and a Traditional HVAC System?

A traditional HVAC setup uses a gas or electric furnace for heating and a separate central air conditioner for cooling. The two systems share ductwork and a thermostat but operate independently. A heat pump handles both heating and cooling in a single outdoor unit by reversing the refrigerant cycle. In cooling mode, it works exactly like a central AC. In heating mode, it extracts heat energy from outdoor air and moves it inside. This dual function simplifies the mechanical system and eliminates the combustion process involved in gas heating.

For Centennial homeowners with aging furnaces and aging AC systems reaching end of life at the same time, a heat pump replacement can be a cleaner and more efficient solution than replacing both systems separately.