Short answer

Yes, modern heat pumps work very well in Spokane winters. With today’s technology, heat pumps can provide reliable, efficient heating even in cold temperatures, and many homeowners, including me, use them comfortably through the winter.

The key is understanding the difference between older heat pump systems and modern cold-climate designs.

Why people think heat pumps don’t work here

The biggest misconception we hear is that heat pumps do not work in cold climates like Spokane.

That belief comes from experience with older heat pump systems. Heat pumps were introduced into our market earlier than they should have been, before the technology was truly ready for sustained cold weather. As a result, there are thousands of homes in our area with older heat pumps that are programmed to stop operating at around 30 to 40 degrees.

That kind of cutoff does not make sense in our climate, where outdoor temperatures often sit around 30 degrees for five to six months out of the year.

What changed in modern heat pump technology

Heat pump technology has improved significantly over the past decade.

Modern cold-climate or “hyper-heat” heat pumps are designed to operate efficiently at much lower outdoor temperatures. Unlike older systems that ran at a single speed, modern heat pumps are variable-capacity systems. This means they can slow down or ramp up as needed to match the home’s heating demand.

Because of this, they are able to pull usable heat out of colder outdoor air and deliver it inside the home more effectively than older designs.

How cold is too cold for a heat pump?

Modern hyper-heat heat pumps are typically designed to operate down to about minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

While they do lose some heating capacity as temperatures drop, often starting around 30 degrees, they do not simply shut off like older systems did. Instead, they continue producing heat, often working alongside a backup heat source when needed.

This is a major difference between modern systems and older heat pumps that struggled in cold weather.

When heat pumps are a great option in Spokane

In our opinion, most homes in Spokane should at least consider a heat pump.

Heat pumps provide efficient heating and cooling in a single system, and when paired with a furnace, they give the home two sources of heat. If the heat pump is unable to meet demand during extreme cold, the furnace serves as a reliable backup.

This dual-fuel setup adds comfort, redundancy, and flexibility, especially during shoulder seasons and mild winter days.

When heat pumps may not be the right fit

The biggest obstacle for many homeowners is cost.

Heat pump systems are typically more expensive than a traditional air conditioner. While the long-term benefits can be significant, the upfront investment is not always the right fit for every household or budget.

This is why it’s important to look at the full picture, including how the home is used and what makes sense financially.

How Bigfoot approaches heat pump recommendations

When we talk with homeowners about heat pumps, we always start by asking whether they’ve had one before. Heat pumps operate differently than traditional air conditioners, and there are some nuances homeowners should understand.

Our goal is to make sure expectations are clear, the system is designed properly, and the solution actually makes sense for the home, not just on paper.