24 Sep 2025

Assessing Heat Pump Technologies in Cold Regions for Army Installations

Abstract: Air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) can efficiently provide building heating and cooling. To assess the performance of ASHPs in cold regions for the Army Installation Technology Transition Program, we installed an air-to-air minisplit ASHP in Fairbanks, Alaska. This Interior Alaska location is exposed to extreme cold. The appropriate size of the unit was determined using building size and air temperatures from the location. Using monitoring equipment, the heating performance of the unit was analyzed using measurements collected over the winter months. Finally, the coefficient of performance (COP) was calculated, and a thermal camera was used to assess the heating performance qualitatively. The ASHP effectively heated the building during the project, and ASHPs are therefore recommended for use in cold regions.