January 2026 brought colder-than-normal temperatures across Maryland. During weeks like this, having a dependable heating system matters. Yet many people still believe that heat pumps cannot keep a home warm in winter.
Fortunately, today’s heat pumps are built for cold weather. Modern systems provide reliable and energy efficient heating and cooling, and they perform well throughout the year.
A heat pump does not create heat like a furnace or a boiler. Instead, it uses electricity and a special refrigerant to move heat from one place to another. Even when outdoor air feels cold, it still contains heat energy. During heating season, the heat pump pulls heat from the outdoor air, compresses it to raise the temperature, and then transfers that heat into your home through the indoor system. This process allows it to heat your home efficiently, even in cold weather.
Newer cold climate heat pumps are built to work in very low temperatures. These systems are designed to keep homes warm even when temperatures fall well below freezing, like we experienced this past month.
Heat pumps are widely used in colder states such as Maine, Vermont, and Minnesota. Winters in those states are longer and colder than Maryland winters. If heat pumps can perform reliably there, they can be counted on when temperatures drop here, too!
Maryland’s winters are generally milder overall, which allows heat pumps to operate even more efficiently. That is why, for many households, choosing a heat pump in Maryland can be one of the best heating system options available today.
Heat pumps are one of the most efficient heating systems for a house. Because they move heat instead of creating it, they use less energy. This can help create lower energy bills and a more comfortable home.
Other benefits include:
The Community Action Council of Howard County offers no cost weatherization services to income qualified homeowners and renters across Maryland. Over the past 10 years, more than 4,600 households have received weatherization services through CAC!
Confirm your income eligibility for weatherization here.
Weatherization can include:
We repair existing systems when possible. Heating system repair can improve efficiency and help prevent your system from breaking down when you need it most.
But if a system is near the end of its lifespan or badly damaged, we can replace it with a newer, more energy efficient model. This can include energy efficient furnaces as well as heat pumps.
Whether repairing or scheduling heat pump installation for your Maryland home, the goal is the same: We want to make your house warm, safe, and energy efficient.
Getting help through CAC is straightforward.
