Yes, and that's why I have none.

No fridge? That's a heat pump.

Not everyone lives in an area where they can afford not to have one, especially with climates changing and temperatures hitting higher/lower extremes.

It all comes down to building techniques, insulation, airtightness, eliminating thermal bridges, &c. There are also many low tech solutions for heating/cooling, such as air/air heat exchanger couples with ground/water or ground/air heat exchanger at a fraction of the price and a fraction of the maintenance.

Of course the average american living in a mcmansion which wouldn't pass regulations in 1992 Poland cannot use such solutions, but really it isn't a problem of climate, you'll find passive houses from africa to norway and everywhere in between, most of them without heat pumps

Which are famously reliable and cheap to service...

In my experience they are quite reliable if they are quality brands. My parents have central AC for 20 years with no need of repairs