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Cold Climate Heat Pumps Sizing - Problem Set 2.2

Source(s) or Contributor(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Question
  1. Why are variable-capacity heat pumps more appropriate for cold climates than single-stage heat pumps?
    1. Single-stage heat pumps cannot provide heating.
    2. Variable-capacity heat pumps can be oversized for cooling, but modulate down to prevent short-cycling and provide effective cooling and dehumidification.
    3. Variable-capacity heat pumps provide more heating and cooling than single-stage heat pumps, regardless of climate.
    4. Variable-capacity heat pumps cannot operate in warm weather.