Technology
How does a heat pump work?
A heat pump works by moving heat from one place to another instead of generating it, using a refrigerant cycle. In winter it pulls warmth from the outside air into your home; in summer it runs in reverse to pull heat out — efficiently heating and cooling.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how a heat pump works.
Step by step
- 1It moves existing heat rather than burning fuel, so it's very efficient.
- 2A refrigerant absorbs heat in one coil and releases it in another.
- 3In heating mode, it draws warmth from outdoor air (even cold air holds heat).
- 4Reversing the cycle turns it into an air conditioner.
- 5Because it moves heat, it can deliver several times more energy than it uses.
Frequently asked questions
- How can a heat pump heat a home from cold air?
- Even cold air contains heat energy; the refrigerant, colder still, absorbs that heat and the system concentrates and releases it indoors.
- Why are heat pumps so efficient?
- They move heat instead of creating it, so each unit of electricity can deliver three or more units of heat — far better than a basic heater.
- Can one heat pump both heat and cool?
- Yes. Reversing the refrigerant's direction swaps which coil absorbs and which releases heat, so the same unit heats in winter and cools in summer.