The single biggest question homeowners in Crosslake, Pequot Lakes and Brainerd ask us is whether a heat pump can really heat a house through a Minnesota winter. A modern cold-climate air-source heat pump is a very different machine from the ones that earned a bad reputation in the 1990s, and the difference is the variable-capacity inverter compressor: it ramps up and down continuously instead of switching between off and 100%, which lets it keep pulling heat from outdoor air far below freezing.
We install, repair and service cold-climate heat pumps across the Brainerd Lakes Area, and because the same equipment cools in summer, it is the one system we maintain on both ends of the year.
Repairs for systems that heat but will not cool, cool but will not heat, or lean on backup heat constantly.
Same-day repair and priority emergency scheduling during business hours.
Because a heat pump runs year round, it earns more attention than single-season equipment.
Tune-ups that keep efficiency up and extend system lifespan.
Manual J load calculation on every quote, not sizing off the old nameplate.
Variable-capacity Armstrong Air systems including the 4SCU22LX, in ducted or dual-fuel configurations.
We design for the Crosslake area design temperature, which sits in the -20°F range, rather than for a generic climate.
We pair heat pumps with Armstrong Air gas or propane furnaces so the system switches to whichever fuel is cheaper at that outdoor temperature.
A room-by-room heat-loss and heat-gain analysis produces the actual BTU per hour requirement before we quote equipment.
We walk through the federal and utility incentive picture and confirm what is currently active before you order equipment.
We design and install cold-climate heat pump systems across the Brainerd Lakes Area, including lake properties and cabins without natural gas service. We serve Crosslake, Pequot Lakes, Brainerd, Baxter, Breezy Point, Pine River, along with Backus, Hackensack, Emily, Fifty Lakes, Outing, Longville, Jenkins and Mission. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8AM to 5PM, and we offer same-day service and priority emergency scheduling during those hours.
Because we are a combined plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical contractor, a single visit can cover problems that would otherwise take two or three separate trades. Call 218-692-3000 or schedule service online.
The backup half of a dual-fuel system. We install Armstrong Air gas and propane furnaces alongside the heat pump.
Where there is no ductwork to work with, a Durastar ductless system delivers the same heat pump technology zone by zone.
Payment options for the out-of-pocket portion of a heat pump replacement.
A heat pump is only as good as its sizing and how it is matched to your home's distribution. Two homes in Brainerd with identical square footage can need very different systems depending on insulation, windows, ceiling height, ductwork condition and whether the place is lived in year round or used as a lake cabin.
Cold-climate ratings typically certify continued heating capacity down to about -10°F, with usable output continuing to roughly -15°F to -22°F depending on the model.
A smart thermostat watches outdoor temperature and switches automatically. Above the switchover point the heat pump runs because it is cheaper; below it the furnace takes over.
If your home already has ductwork, a ducted Armstrong Air heat pump is usually the simplest path. For additions, garages, finished basements and lake cabins without ducts, a Durastar mini-split is often the better answer.
Common around cabins and lake properties. We can pair the heat pump with a propane furnace or, in some cases, electric backup.
Yes. A modern cold-climate air-source heat pump uses a variable-capacity inverter compressor that ramps continuously instead of switching between off and full output, which lets it keep extracting heat from outdoor air far below freezing. Cold-climate ratings typically certify continued heating capacity down to about -10 degrees Fahrenheit, with usable output continuing to roughly -15 to -22 degrees depending on the model.
A dual-fuel system pairs the heat pump with a gas or propane furnace as backup, and a smart thermostat switches between them automatically based on outdoor temperature. You get the heat pump's efficiency through the shoulder seasons and milder winter days, which is most of the heating hours in a typical year, plus the reliability of a furnace on the handful of nights that hit 20 below.
We run a Manual J load calculation on every quote. It considers square footage, ceiling height, insulation R-values, window U-values, orientation, infiltration and occupancy, and produces the actual BTU per hour requirement at the local design temperature. Sizing off the old nameplate is how systems end up oversized, short-cycling and uncomfortable.
Often, yes. The federal 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit applies to qualifying air-source heat pumps that meet the cold-climate efficiency thresholds for northern climate zones, and local utilities including Crow Wing Power and Minnesota Power run rebate programs for qualifying installs and dual-fuel conversions. Programs change year to year, so we confirm what is currently active and what you qualify for before ordering equipment.
We all know that horrible feeling when something breaks down and you have to start doing the math. At North Country Plumbing & Heating we believe good service should always be affordable, which is why we’ve partnered with trusted financial institutions to bring you financing options that are designed around your needs.
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No one likes unexpected breakdowns or repairs, especially when they like to happen in the most inconvenient of times. That’s why we have our comprehensive 360 plan for your heating and cooling equipment. Routine maintenance not only helps catch potential problems early before they become expensive breakdowns, but it keeps your unit running efficiently for its full lifespan.
$19.95/month
2 HVAC Multipoint Service Inspections for 1 year (2 visits total)
Quarterly Filter Swaps. Additional Filters To Be Billed Out Separately
5% Discount on Any Equipment Upgrade or Replacement
10% Discount on Parts Required for Service
30% Off Service Labor Costs for Any Additional Services Needed for 1 Year
Priority Service & Facilitated Appointments
At North Country, customer service is our first priority. We value every customer and want to make a positive, lasting impression. We have the expertise to design a plumbing system or accommodate any project that has been engineered with specifications. In addition, we're proud to provide a complete list of plumbing & HVAC servicing options.
We’re proud to serve our community and that includes offering seasonal specials to help you get a little bit more for a little bit less.
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