Heat Pumps Do Work in Alberta

[I'm pinning this one for a day because the topic is of great interest and common misconceptions abound. This Alberta at Noon covers it well, as do the comments below]

As with many matters, the media oversimplify and then people go around parroting half-truths. I heard our Premier yesterday say, "Heat pumps do not work in Alberta".

Well, they do, 85-90% of the 365 days, but for heating they need a little help during real cold snaps, and that can be a simple as installing a heat strip in the air handler or water circulation system.

Alberta at Noon had a good session on heat pumps yesterday (Nov 8). Disregard the obsession with 'emissions' and concentrate on the practicality for heating and cooling for your situation.

For some reason, that episode is not posted yet, but is well worth a listen when it is.

Heat pumps do work in Alberta most of the year, to cool in summer and heat in spring and fall and much of the winter, but a furnace is needed to supplement in the coldest weather.

The technology is improving over time and especially for new builds should be considered. FWIW, my BIL in northern Ontario where the climate is similar to Central Alberta has had a heat pump for decades and is very happy with it.

Additionally, for those with enough land, earth or water exchange is practical and not limited by air temperatures. The real question mark is our electrical grid.

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-1-alberta-at-noon