A heat pump is one of the most energy-efficient heating and cooling systems available today. Unlike other types of heating systems, which convert fuel or electricity directly to heat, a heat pump is designed to move heat from one place to another. Even at temperatures as cold as -18° C (0° F) or below, the heat pump is able to extract heat from outside air to use in heating your home.
A heat pump is designed to move heat from one place to another. The outdoor coil of the heat pump absorbs heat from the outside air, even at relatively low temperatures, and transfers it to your home. In hot weather the heat pump operates in reverse to provide cooling. It transfers heat from within your home to the outdoors.
The outdoor unit of a heat pump contains coils filled with refrigerant, which absorb heat from the outside air. Even though the outdoor air temperature may be as low as -18° C (0° F) , the refrigerant is much cooler and is able to absorb heat. As it begins to absorb heat, the refrigerant evaporates, absorbing even greater quantities of heat. The heated refrigerant vapour passes through coils and then on to the compressor, where it is pressurized. This process increases the temperature and condensing point of the refrigerant so that it is now hotter than the inside air. The heated refrigerant travels to the indoor coil. As a fan blows air across the coils, the refrigerant releases heat into the surrounding air. Heated air is circulated throughout the house.
The heat pump also cools your house in the same manner. Simply switching the heat pump from a heating mode to a cooling mode reverses the valves that control the refrigerant cycle. So instead of extracting heat from the outdoors, the heat pump will remove heat and moisture from the indoors.
