Which Heat Pump is Right for me?

By 

Kiana Kazemi

February 20, 2025

Are you spending your winter shivering under a pile of blankets – or wearing 5 layers of clothing? It might be time to invest in a new heat pump that better suits your home. For most single-family homes with central and/or radiant heating, Harvest is the best choice—hands down. 

But what about other home types?  

From cozy condos to sprawling farmhouses, there’s a heat pump out there for everyone – and every home. So, let’s dive into the best heat pumps for six different types of homes and discover how you can keep comfortable while saving energy (and impressing your neighbors with your HVAC savvy).

  1. For the Compact Condo - Condos are all about efficiency—compact living spaces that make the most of every square foot. Enter the ductless mini-split heat pump. They’re widely available, easy to install, and perfect for existing buildings without central ductwork. They let you control temperatures room by room, making them a great option for spot heating and cooling. But if your condo has ducts or radiant floors, you’ve got choices. Do you want mini-splits in every room, or a state-of-the-art central Harvest system that optimizes your home for comfort, cost, and emissions? The choice is yours.

  2. For the Rustic Log Cabin - A log cabin in the woods is every hiker’s fantasy, but keeping it warm in the winter can be a challenge. For these homes, a cold-climate heat pump is the MVP. They’re built to handle freezing temperatures without breaking a sweat—or a frost. With advanced technology that efficiently pulls heat from even the coldest air, they’ll keep your cabin warm without relying on a wood-burning stove (though you can keep it for cold winter cozy aesthetics).

  3. For the Urban Apartment - City living often means tight spaces and shared walls, and often, zero control over the building’s centralized HVAC or hot water system. That’s why portable and window-mounted heat pumps—like those from Gradient—are a game-changer. They offer an affordable and flexible way to regulate temperature. Bonus: These options are renter-friendly, so you can take your heat pump with you when it’s time to upgrade to your next home.

  4. For the Suburban Single-Family Home - For most suburban homes, Harvest is the best choice. It integrates seamlessly with existing ductwork or radiant heating, delivers heating and hot water in one system, and cuts heating  + hot water costs by 30%. A central air-source heat pump works well, but if you’re looking for the most efficient, future-proof solution, Harvest wins on savings, comfort, and sustainability. Harvest also interfaces with smart thermostats, so you can control your home’s climate with a tap on your phone—because who doesn’t love a little tech in their life?

  5. For the Sprawling Farmhouse - Sprawling house in uber-cold Maine? A geothermal (ground-source) heat pump might be worth considering—it taps into underground temperatures to provide steady heating and cooling, even in extreme climates. But in most places, you likely have more options. Air-source heat pumps have come a long way in the past decade and can keep you cozy in almost any climate (hello, Norway and Canada!). So you may be able to use Harvest's ultra comfy, ultra efficient system that will keep you cozy AND save on your bills!

  6. For the Beachfront Bungalow - Living by the coast is all about those ocean breezes and laid-back vibes, but the salty air can be tough on HVAC systems. That’s why, if you live by the coast, you need a heat pump that can handle the elements. The SANCO2 air-to-water heat pump that Harvest uses is, of course, corrosion-resistant. Our systems are running strong in coastal homes, keeping things cozy when the ocean chill rolls in.

And for those of us in the Golden State…

California’s climate is anything but one-size-fits-all. In Southern California, where mild winters and scorching summers are the norm, an air-source heat pump with strong cooling capabilities and ideally efficiency (high SEER rating) is key. In Northern California, where winters can be colder and the weather swings more dramatically, a cold-climate heat pump or a dual-fuel system is a better bet. No matter where you are, though, Harvest’s high-efficiency system delivers steady, reliable heat—and hot water—without fossil fuels.

So, Which Heat Pump is Right for You? If you’re in a single-family home with central or radiant heating, Harvest is the best choice. But no matter where you call home, there’s a heat pump designed to keep you comfortable and energy-efficient. The key is finding the right balance of efficiency, cost, and comfort—because no one should have to shiver under a pile of blankets all winter.

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