What Is A Heat Pump?

A heat pump is a heating and cooling system that moves heat from one place to another instead of creating it. In winter, a heat pump extracts heat from the outside air, even when temperatures are well below zero, and transfers it inside. In summer, the same equipment reverses direction and pulls heat out of the home, working as an air conditioner.

Because moving heat takes less energy than producing it, heat pumps can deliver 2 to 3 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity they consume. That is the source of their efficiency advantage over electric resistance heat, oil, propane, and (in many cases) natural gas. For southern New Hampshire homes, a modern cold-climate heat pump can serve as the primary heating and cooling system year-round.

At A.J. LeBlanc Heating, we install and service heat pumps across Manchester, Bedford, Concord, Nashua, Salem, and Auburn. Below is what you need to know before choosing one.

How a heat pump actually works

The same basic refrigeration cycle that runs your refrigerator and your air conditioner runs a heat pump, just turned in either direction depending on the season.

1. A refrigerant absorbs heat from the outdoor air (yes, even cold winter air contains usable heat).
2. A compressor raises the refrigerant's temperature by compressing it.
3. The hot refrigerant releases its heat into the indoor air through an indoor coil.
4. The cooled, low-pressure refrigerant returns outside and the cycle repeats.

In cooling mode, a reversing valve flips the direction so heat moves from inside the home to outside, exactly the same way a central AC works.

Cold-climate heat pumps in New Hampshire

A common question we get from NH homeowners: "Do they really work when it's zero degrees?" Yes. Modern cold-climate heat pumps (often labeled CCHP or with brand-specific names like Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat, Bosch IDS, or Fujitsu XLTH) are engineered to deliver useful heating capacity at outdoor temperatures down to minus 13°F and sometimes lower.

Capacity does drop as temperatures fall. For most NH installations, the system is sized so that the heat pump handles the home's heating load down into the single digits, with a backup heat source (a gas or propane furnace, an oil boiler, or electric resistance strips) handling the coldest stretches. Hybrid systems like this consistently produce the lowest annual operating cost.

Central vs. ductless: which fits your home?

There are two main heat pump system types for residential NH homes.

Central (ducted) heat pumps

A central heat pump uses an outdoor compressor unit paired with an indoor air handler or furnace, distributing conditioned air through ductwork.

• Best fit for homes with existing central ductwork (most commonly homes that already have central AC).
• Whole-home heating and cooling from a single system.
• Often replaces a gas, propane, or oil furnace as the primary heat source.
• Can be configured as a dual-fuel system that automatically switches to the backup furnace below a set outdoor temperature.

Ductless (mini split) heat pumps

A ductless mini split pairs an outdoor compressor with one or more indoor heads mounted on walls, ceilings, or in floor-mount or concealed configurations.

• Best fit for homes without existing ductwork, including older NH homes with hydronic (baseboard or radiator) heat.
• Zoned by design: each indoor head is independently controlled, which often matches NH room-by-room comfort needs.
• Highly efficient because there are no duct losses.
• Can serve a whole home with multiple heads on one outdoor unit, or supplement an existing system in just the rooms that need help.

Sizing matters

An oversized heat pump short-cycles in mild weather, which hurts efficiency, comfort, and equipment life. An undersized heat pump runs constantly on the coldest days and may not keep up. A proper installer performs a Manual J load calculation for your home to size the equipment correctly, then selects an indoor unit and outdoor capacity that match your home's actual demand. This is the single most important factor in long-term satisfaction with a heat pump.

Rebates and tax credits

NH heat pump installations are typically eligible for:

• NHSaves rebates through your utility, with amounts that vary by program and equipment.

The federal 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit ended December 31, 2025 and is not available for new installations. Ask us about current rebates and financing options.

Program rules change. Confirm current eligibility before purchase.

Get a free estimate

If you are evaluating heat pumps for a New Hampshire home, whether for a full system replacement or to add cooling and supplemental heat to specific rooms, contact A.J. LeBlanc Heating for a free in-home estimate. Serving NH families since 1928.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do heat pumps really work in New Hampshire winters?

Yes. Cold-climate heat pumps are rated to deliver heat at outdoor temperatures down to minus 13°F and below. Most NH installations pair the heat pump with a backup heat source for the coldest stretches.

How efficient is a heat pump compared to a furnace?

A modern cold-climate heat pump can deliver 2 to 3 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity consumed. That is significantly more efficient than electric resistance heat, and often competitive with or better than gas, propane, and oil on a cost-per-BTU basis.

Can a heat pump cool my home too?

Yes. A heat pump is also an air conditioner. The same equipment heats in winter and cools in summer.

What is a dual-fuel system?

A dual-fuel system pairs a heat pump with a backup gas, propane, or oil furnace. The heat pump runs as the primary heat source most of the year. At a set outdoor temperature, the system automatically switches to the furnace. This setup typically produces the lowest annual operating cost in NH.

How long does a heat pump last?

With proper maintenance, a modern heat pump typically lasts 12 to 15 years. The outdoor unit takes more weather abuse than a comparable AC condenser, so annual maintenance matters more.