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How does a heat pump work?

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Quick answer

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.

Step by step

  1. It moves existing heat rather than burning fuel, so it's very efficient.
  2. A refrigerant absorbs heat in one coil and releases it in another.
  3. In heating mode, it draws warmth from outdoor air (even cold air holds heat).
  4. Reversing the cycle turns it into an air conditioner.
  5. Because it moves heat, it can deliver several times more energy than it uses.

People also ask

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.

Part of the guide: Everyday Machines →