31/01/26
Imagine, it’s one of those crisp bluebird days down South. The sun’s just dipping and Daniel Corbett has waved his hands around on the news to say it’s going to be a bone chilling -5°C. You reach for the heat pump remote…but will it work in cold weather?
A gentle hum soon tells you “yes”. That’s because modern heat pumps still work effectively a sub-zero temperatures in New Zealand. They may have to work a little harder, as there’s less warmth in the outside air for them to transfer, but they are still the most efficient form of heating. Even on those super frosty nights.
In Canada, where temperatures regularly drop to -30°C, cold climate heat pumps have been specially engineered to cope with their extreme cold climate using advanced inverters, defrost modes and variable speed compressors.
Here in New Zealand, the coldest winter temperature ever recorded was in Ranfurly in 1903 when the mercury plunged to an incredible -25.6°C. But for the most part, the average night time winter temperatures are 6-8°C in the North Island and 0-1°C in the South Island. So, you’re unlikely to need a Canadian heat pump to stay toasty. Unless you live in Ranfurly!
Defrost mode, or defrost cycle is something most modern heat pumps perform when the temperature plunges below 2°C. According to the engineers at Oxygen Air, defrost mode works by reversing the refrigerant flow to heat the outdoor coil to melt any frost or ice that may have built up. This process can take between 10-15 minutes and during this time the indoor fan may slow down to prevent blowing cold air into the room. Depending on your model, you might even get some flashing lights telling you it’s gone into defrost mode.
If your heat pump has gone into defrost mode and the cycle is lasting more than 15 minutes, then that a sure sign you need to get a service! It may be low on refrigerant, for example.
How often and how long your heat pump enters the defrost cycle depends on a few factors. The outdoor temperature, the humidity level and how much frost is built up on the outside unit. If there’s a foot of snow on your unit, you might want to give it a hand by sweeping it off! Most modern heat pumps are packed with technology and sensors that continually monitor conditions to optimize the defrost mode, so they use as little energy as possible. You may never ever notice they’ve switched modes to keep your heat pump working in the cold weather.
If you do live in an area that’s prone to frosts and cold, or are living at a higher level – like the Central Plateau or the Southern Alps, then Oxygen Air recommend you look at a high-capacity, low-temperature heat pump such as the Mitsubishi Electric HyperCore (LN Series) which can maintain 100% performance right down to -15°C. Or the Fujitsu General (ASTH Series) which offer high-efficiency heating in the harshest of conditions. Whether you are wanting a high wall, single room unit, floor standing model, or a multi-room solution for your home or business, it’s best to seek expert and non-biased advice for cold climate heat pumps.
Colder climates mean more wear and tear on your heat pump. Places like Alexandra have extremes – bitterly cold in winter and baking hot in summer.
That puts a lot of stress on a heat pump – as well as on the family. The constant expansion and contraction can loosen pipe fitting causing refrigerant leaks, an if you’re not careful, frost built up can even damage a unit. So, to ensure your heat pump works in cold weather and in hot summers, book in an annual service. Not some bloke with a water blaster, but a qualified refrigerant engineer who can actually check for refrigerant leaks and test your heat pump for optimal performance.
If you need advice on what heat pump is right for your home, whether you’re in a cold or warm spot in the country, just talk to Oxygen Air who are New Zealand biggest installer of heating and cooling solutions.
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