If you’re in Suffolk County, you’ve probably heard more than a few myths about heat pumps. People will tell you that they aren’t powerful enough for Long Island’s winters, or that they’re unreliable compared to heating oil or gas. These myths might have once had some truth to them, but they’re inaccurate in 2026.
Cold-climate heat pumps are the most efficient solution for heating and cooling your home, no matter the weather. Let’s look at some of the most common myths, see why they’re wrong, and help you decide on the best upgrade for your old furnace.
Key Takeaways
- Heat pumps are suitable for cold climates and are efficient at extremely low temperatures.
- Heat pump maintenance is easier than a furnace.
- Heat pumps are more cost-efficient to run compared to oil furnaces.
Heat Pump Myth #1: A Heat Pump Won’t Work on Cold Winter Days
This is the most repeated myth about heat pumps and the most dangerous. It has turned many people away from electrification and kept them on fuel-burning furnaces when they could have otherwise enjoyed something more efficient.
To debunk this myth entirely, heat pumps are perfectly capable of heating a home on Long Island, even during an extreme cold snap.
Modern heat pumps are more powerful and more efficient, and the technology is constantly improving.
Take the Lennox® Elite® Series EL18KSLV as a compelling example. This unit is an Energy Star® 6.1 Certified Cold-Climate heat pump. As a newer model, it uses R-454B refrigerant, so it’s fully compliant with current environmental regulations.
- An Energy Star® 6.1 Cold Climate Certified Heat Pump meets standardized heating capacity targets. At 5°F ambient, it must reach 70% of its same capacity at 47°F ambient. For homeowners, this means that the system is just 30% away from its peak low-temperature efficiency in the most extreme cold weather. To keep that in perspective, the average low on Long Island during winter is around 23°F.
A new heat pump installation can warm your home in winter, no matter where you live on Long Island. If you have an oil furnace that still has some service life, you can install a heat pump as a dual-fuel system that will automatically switch over to oil on the coldest days.
Heat Pump Myth #2: A Heat Pump Isn’t as Reliable as a Furnace
This myth is outright wrong. A heat pump is generally more reliable than a furnace when it is regularly maintained.
A heat pump is an air conditioner with a reverse valve. It provides heating and cooling depending on the thermostat setting. In summer, the heat pump works just like a normal air conditioner, extracting heat from indoors and transferring it outside. In winter, it does the same, but in reverse. It extracts warmth from the air, moves it over cold coils, compresses the refrigerant gas in the system to increase the temperature, and then moves that heat into your home.
A furnace combusts oil or gas. An oil furnace can run out of fuel, oil lines can clog, and the burners require frequent tune-ups. For both oil and gas systems, maintenance needs are high. They need aggressive annual maintenance to clean soot, replace filters, and service nozzles.
Maintenance for a heat pump in Suffolk County is just like an air conditioner. The system will need air filter changes or cleaning, and biannual coil cleaning. A heat pump tune-up also includes electrical safety inspections, lubrication of any moving parts, and calibration.
A heat pump is easier to maintain than a furnace, and the lifespan is similar. A modern heat pump can last for 15 to 20 years.
Heat Pump Myth #3: Heat Pumps are Expensive to Run
The myth that heat pumps are more expensive to run is based on older units with lower efficiency ratings. Modern heat pumps must meet a minimum of 14.3 SEER2 for split systems or 13.4 SEER2 for packaged central air systems.
- A heat pump can create up to 4 times more heat energy than it consumes in electricity. That means 400% of the energy that goes in comes out as heat in optimal conditions.
- An oil furnace only operates at about 85% efficiency. Instead of effectively turning all its energy source into heat, it loses around 15% of it. Real-world efficiency is often much lower for older systems as they approach replacement age.
This efficiency means that a heat pump is typically 2 to 4 times more affordable to run than an oil furnace.
Get an Estimate for a Heat Pump Installation in Suffolk County Today
Soundview Heat and Air Conditioning Corp. is one of the top-rated HVAC contractors in Suffolk County. We can install an efficient cold-weather heat pump that keeps your home comfortable and saves you money over a 15- to 20-year system lifespan. We are a NYS Clean Heat Program Participating Contractor. You may qualify for rebates that come off the top of your bill.
Learn more today. Get an estimate or begin your Home Comfort Consultation by calling us at 631-209-1744.
