I Think Heat Pump Mania Has Gone Too Far

Here's a hot take I'm not backing down from: If you're in a cold climate or need reliable backup, relying solely on a heat pump is a mistake. I've seen it too many times. Clients call me frantic because their heat pump froze up during a deep freeze, and their crawl space is flooding because the dehumidifier couldn't keep up—or worse, they needed emergency cooling for a server room and the chiller failed.

In my role coordinating emergency equipment for HVAC and facility managers, I've handled over 200 rush orders in the last three years, including same-day turnarounds for data centers and commercial buildings. I'm not saying heat pumps are bad. I'm saying the 'heat pump only' approach leaves you exposed.

Argument 1: Performance Drops When You Need It Most

Heat pumps are efficient—on paper. But when temperatures drop below 20°F, their efficiency tanks. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, cold-climate heat pumps can lose 30-50% of their rated capacity at low outdoor temps.

Meanwhile, a Dimplex wall-mounted electric heater delivers consistent heat regardless of outdoor conditions. I've specified these for emergency backup in commercial basements where heat pumps just couldn't keep up during the polar vortex of 2022. We installed three Dimplex panel heaters, and they held the space at 68°F while the heat pump recovery took hours after power returned.

Argument 2: The Cost of 'All-in-One' Is Underestimated

I've had clients call me after a chiller failure in mid-July for a server room. Their 'budget' vendor quoted a fix in two weeks? No. We had a Dimplex chiller on site within 12 hours. The difference? $2,000 vs. a $50,000 penalty for downtime.

Here's where I see penny-wise, pound-foolish thinking: Saved $4,000 by choosing a single heat pump system over a split setup with electric strip heat backup. Then spent $8,000 on emergency electric heaters and dehumidifiers when the heat pump couldn't dry out the crawl space after a flood. Net loss: $4,000. And I'm not mixing up figures—I've seen this exact scenario three times.

Argument 3: Dehumidification Is Universal (Heat Pumps Struggle)

This is one people don't think about until it's too late. Heat pumps dehumidify only when they're running. In shoulder seasons or when temperatures hover near freezing, they cycle on and off, leaving moisture. A crawl space dehumidifier is a standalone solution that works 24/7 regardless.

I've recommended Dimplex dehumidifiers for clients who had mold issues after relying solely on a heat pump to dry their basement. The dehumidifier runs continuously, pulling out 30 pints a day, while the heat pump only ran when needed for heat. The client's alternative was mold remediation costing $5,000. Not worth it.

Counterargument: 'But Heat Pumps Are More Efficient Overall'

I can only speak to my context: emergency response and facility management for buildings with unpredictable loads. If you're in a mild climate with consistent temperatures and a well-sealed building, a heat pump might be the perfect primary system. But for cold climates, backup isn't optional.

I want to say you'll save money by going full heat pump, but don't quote me on that. I've seen too many clients pay for expensive repairs and lost productivity because they didn't have a backup plan. An informed customer asks better questions and makes faster decisions. That's why I explain this upfront.

My Practical Recommendation: Use Both

Here's what you need to know: Your primary system can be a heat pump for efficiency. But always spec a backup electric heater—like a Dimplex panel or baseboard heater—and a standalone dehumidifier for moisture control.

A colleague once asked, 'Isn't that wasteful?' No. The heat pump handles the load 90% of the time. The electric heater runs only on the coldest 10% of days or during system failure. The dehumidifier runs year-round. The incremental cost is small compared to the risk of a catastrophic failure.

Take it from someone who's processed 15 emergency calls in a single January week: You don't want to be the one explaining to a client why their heat pump couldn't handle the freeze.

And if you're considering a space heater as a primary source? Don't. They're fine for a 10x10 room, but for building projects, invest in a proper wall-mounted electric heater or a dedicated chiller for cooling needs. Mixing systems isn't a compromise—it's a strategy.