What Is a Heat Pump? How Heating & Cooling Works in NH
A heat pump is a heating and cooling system that moves heat from one place to another instead of creating it. In winter it extracts heat from the outside air, even well below zero, and transfers it inside. In summer it reverses and pulls heat out of the home, working as an air conditioner.
Because moving heat takes less energy than producing it, heat pumps typically deliver 2 to 3 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity they consume. That is 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. Here is what to know before choosing one.
How a heat pump works
It runs the same refrigeration cycle as your refrigerator or air conditioner, turned either direction by season. A refrigerant absorbs heat from the outdoor air (cold winter air still contains usable heat), a compressor raises its temperature, and the hot refrigerant releases that heat indoors through a coil. In cooling mode, a reversing valve flips the direction so heat moves from inside to outside, like a central AC.
Cold-climate heat pumps in New Hampshire
Yes, they work at zero degrees. Modern cold-climate heat pumps (labeled CCHP or brand names like Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat, Bosch IDS, or Fujitsu XLTH) deliver useful heating capacity down to minus 13°F and sometimes lower. Capacity drops as temperatures fall, so most NH systems are sized to handle the home's load into the single digits, with a backup source (a gas or propane furnace, an oil boiler, or electric resistance strips) covering the coldest stretches. These hybrid setups consistently produce the lowest annual operating cost.
Central vs. ductless: which fits your home?
Central (ducted) heat pumps pair an outdoor compressor with an indoor air handler or furnace and send conditioned air through ductwork. They fit homes that already have central ductwork, heat and cool the whole home from one system, and often replace a gas, propane, or oil furnace. They can also run as a dual-fuel system that switches to the backup furnace below a set outdoor temperature.
Ductless (mini split) heat pumps pair an outdoor compressor with one or more indoor heads on walls, ceilings, or floors. They fit homes without ductwork, including older NH homes with baseboard or radiator heat. Each head is independently zoned, there are no duct losses, and one outdoor unit can serve a whole home or just the rooms that need help.
Sizing matters
An oversized heat pump short-cycles in mild weather, hurting efficiency, comfort, and equipment life; an undersized one runs constantly on the coldest days and may not keep up. A proper installer performs a Manual J load calculation to size the equipment to 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. Program rules change, so confirm current eligibility before purchase. Ask us about current rebates and financing options.
Get a free estimate
Whether you need a full replacement or want to add cooling and supplemental heat to specific rooms, contact A.J. LeBlanc Heating or call 603-623-0412 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 down to minus 13°F and below, paired with a backup heat source for the coldest stretches.
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, then switches to the furnace at a set outdoor temperature. 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.