Why a Heat Pump Might Be the Right Choice for Your Wisconsin or Illinois Home

Looking for a heating and cooling system that can handle the extremes of Midwest living?

Whether you’re braving Wisconsin’s arctic-level winters or Illinois’ balmy-but-not-too-hot summers, a heat pump might be the all-season hero your Midwest home needs.

But what exactly is a heat pump, and is it the right fit for your home? Midwest Heating & Cooling is here to help you sort it out.

What is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is a versatile device that can heat and cool your home, as well as serve as a humidifier and air filter.

Heat pumps use a refrigeration cycle to transfer heat between the air inside your home and a source from outdoors, such as the air, water, or ground. As it heats or cools, it also removes excess humidity from the air and passes the conditioned air through an air filter—providing you with an all-in-one HVAC system.

Since heat pumps transfer heat using refrigerant and electricity rather than burning fuel like a gas furnace or boiler, they are much more efficient and eco-conscious. Read more about the benefits of heat pumps below.

Types of Heat Pumps

There are several types of heat pumps, and choosing the right one for your specific climate and home needs is important for your comfort and overall energy efficiency.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common types, including which ones are best for the colder climate of Wisconsin and Illinois:

• Air-to-Air Heat Pumps
• Cold Climate Heat Pumps
• Mini Split Heat Pumps
• Air-to-Water Heat Pumps
• Water-to-Air Heat Pumps
• Ground-to-Air Heat Pumps

Some types of heat pumps are better suited for the Midwest climate, while others cannot keep up. It is important to trust a heating and cooling company that not only knows the difference but also recommends it from the start.

Midwest Heating & Cooling takes pride in being that trusted partner for homeowners, offering expert guidance and tailored solutions.

That’s why we have created this educational blog—to provide homeowners with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions about their homes’ heating and cooling systems.

When you choose Midwest Heating & Cooling, you choose a team dedicated to delivering reliable comfort year-round.

Air-to-Air Heat Pumps

The most common type of heat pump is an air-to-air system. It transfers heat between the air inside and outside your home.

Even when the outside air is cold, heat energy is still present. During colder months, a standard heat pump can capture this heat and bring it indoors through a heat exchange process. In warmer weather, it switches functions, working like an air conditioner by extracting heat from inside your home and releasing it outdoors.

These work well in moderate to hot climates but may struggle in regions with extremely cold winters. This limitation makes standard, or “hot climate,” heat pumps less ideal for homeowners in the Midwest.

Cold Climate Heat Pumps

There are cold-climate air-to-air heat pumps specifically manufactured for regions like ours.

A cold climate heat pump (CCHP) is designed to efficiently heat homes even in extremely cold temperatures. Unlike traditional heat pumps, these systems meet stringent ENERGY STAR® standards for low-temperature performance.

CCHPs extract heat from the outside air and operate efficiently down to five degrees Fahrenheit or lower. They often feature advanced technology such as variable-speed compressors, inverter technology, and defrost mechanisms for optimized performance in freezing weather.

Because these systems are designed to perform well in low temperatures, CCHPs are ideal for Wisconsin and Illinois homeowners. They efficiently provide warmth during harsh winters, even when outdoor temperatures drop below freezing.

Mini Split Heat Pumps

Mini split heat pumps, also known as ductless systems or ductless heat pumps, provide both heating and cooling for individual rooms. They consist of an outdoor unit and one or more indoor units strategically placed around a home to optimize zoned heating and cooling.

A refrigerant line connects the units, and each has its own thermostat. This allows an individual unit to condition its own circulation of air that it blows into its room/zone—mini split heat pumps do not use ductwork to distribute the conditioned air.

This type of heating and cooling system is an ideal upgrade for homes without existing ductwork, damaged ductwork, or home add-ons. By controlling temperatures in only the spaces you use, mini splits reduce wasted energy, especially in homes where full-house heating or cooling isn’t necessary.

Cold climate mini splits have extended heating performance much like their ducted counterpart: cold climate heat pumps (CCHPs). Their easy installation, combined with the ability to fine-tune comfort in different zones, makes mini splits an energy-efficient and versatile option for both heating and cooling throughout the year.

They are particularly well-suited for the Midwest, capable of handling the area’s extreme winter temperatures—making them a reliable choice for homes in Wisconsin or Illinois.

Air-to-Water Heat Pumps

Air-to-water heat pumps (AWHPs) operate by extracting heat from the air and transferring it to a water-based system, which can then be used for radiant floor heating, radiators, or even domestic hot water.

Air-to-water heat pumps work well in homes that already have water-based heating infrastructure, offering both heating and hot water supply with good efficiency in moderate temperatures.

For cooling, AWHPs reverse the process, extracting heat from the home and transferring it to the water system, which can then cool the home through radiant floor systems or fan coils.

AWHPs have been widely used across Europe for decades and are now steadily growing in popularity in the United States. These systems could be versatile solutions in regions like the Midwest, where both heating and cooling are needed—though they may not be the ideal system.

The sizing and proper installation of an AWHP and indoor humidity levels can greatly affect efficiency and effectiveness. Their performance is known to drop during extreme cold, and cooling can be less effective than traditional air conditioners.

However, they are the focus of a field study in Wisconsin to see just how well they can handle Midwestern weather.

Water-to-Air Heat Pumps

Water-to-air heat pumps are also called water-sourced geothermal heat pumps. They tap into the consistent temperatures of a nearby water source, such as a lake or pond, to provide heating and cooling.

Water-sourced geothermal systems use submerged pipes to transfer heat between the water and the building. During winter, they extract heat from the water and distribute it indoors, while in the summer, the process reverses, sending heat from the building back into the water.

Water-sourced geothermal heat pumps can be effective in the Midwest, where seasonal temperature fluctuations can be significant. Even during the Midwest’s colder winters, water temperatures below the surface remain relatively stable; enough heat energy is present to provide efficient energy exchange.

This reduces energy consumption and lowers heating and cooling costs, making it a reliable and eco-friendly option for Wisconsin and Illinois homes—so long as your home is close enough to a water source to make installation worth the cost.

Additionally, these systems are renowned for their longevity (over 20 years) and low maintenance, further enhancing their appeal in this region.

Ground-to-Air Heat Pumps

Ground-to-air heat pumps, or ground-sourced geothermal heat pumps, utilize the Earth’s stable underground temperatures to heat and cool buildings.

This system involves burying a loop of pipes in the ground, where the temperature remains relatively constant year-round. In winter, the system absorbs heat from the ground and transfers it into the building. In summer, the process reverses, pulling heat from the building and dissipating it into the cooler ground.

This results in lower energy usage than traditional HVAC systems, reducing costs and environmental impact. Its reliability and long-term savings make it a strong option for Midwest homeowners seeking sustainable energy solutions.

Benefits of a Heat Pump in the Midwest

Choosing the right heating and cooling system for your home can make a big difference in comfort, energy savings, and environmental impact.

If you’re considering upgrading or replacing your heating and cooling system in Wisconsin or Illinois, a heat pump might be the best option and could offer you the following benefits:

Energy Savings

Heat pumps are incredibly energy-efficient because they transfer heat rather than generate it. The Department of Energy estimates that air-to-air heat pumps can reduce heating costs by up to 50 percent—and geothermal systems up to 60 percent—compared to electric furnaces or baseboard heaters.

Reduced Fossil Fuel Use

Heat pumps help lower one’s carbon footprint by relying on electricity rather than fossil fuels like natural gas or oil. This is especially important for homeowners who want to transition to greener, more sustainable energy sources.

Heat Pump Tax Credits and Incentives

Heat pumps installed in Wisconsin and Illinois may qualify for federal tax credits and other state, local, or utility-based incentives. Homeowners may be eligible for the following based on the type of heat pump they upgrade to:

• Air Source Heat Pumps: You can receive a 30 percent tax credit up to $2,000.
• Geothermal Heat Pumps: You can receive an uncapped 30 percent federal tax credit.
• Wisconsin-Specific Incentives: Wisconsinites have two major programs through which they can receive up to $24,000 in rebates for several types of energy-efficient upgrades, including heat pump installations.
• Illinois-Specific Incentives: While the Illinois state government does not currently have any incentives for heat pump installations, Illinoisans may have money-saving opportunities through their local government and utility companies.

Midwest Heating & Cooling can help you identify available programs and financing partners to upgrade your home’s heating and cooling to a more efficient option.

Is a Heat Pump Right for Your Midwest Home?

Not all homes are good candidates for heat pumps; their effectiveness can depend on factors like your home’s square footage and how well-insulated it is.

Square Footage and Heat Pump Efficiency

Generally, homes around 2,000 square feet are ideal for heat pumps, as this sized home typically falls within the range where a standard-sized 3-ton heat pump can efficiently handle the heating and cooling load without being oversized or undersized.

Larger homes may require more expensive units, multiple zones, or additional equipment to maintain comfort levels efficiently. Conversely, smaller homes may not utilize the full capacity of a standard-sized heat pump, leading to inefficiencies.

Insulation and Heat Pump Efficiency

Poor insulation allows conditioned air to escape and outdoor air to enter, forcing a heat pump to run more frequently and for longer periods.

This continuous effort to maintain the desired indoor temperature reduces the system’s overall efficiency, leading to higher energy consumption and increased wear on the unit.

Upgrading your home’s insulation and improving its air sealing may help provide a better environment for a heat pump.

Heat Pump Installation Near You

If you are looking for a way to reduce your energy bills, cut back on fossil fuel use, and enjoy year-round comfort, a heat pump could be the ideal solution for your Wisconsin or Illinois home.

Cold-climate models are specifically designed to handle the Midwest’s freezing winters while offering adequate summer cooling, and geothermal units put your environment to work for you for energy savings, even under harsh weather conditions.

Whether replacing an older system or installing a new one, the right heat pump can provide lasting benefits for your wallet and the environment.

Before making the switch, consult with the heat pump experts at Midwest Heating & Cooling. We can assess your home and help you choose the best system for your needs. Call 414-301-7653 or request service online.