How Does a Heat Pump Work?

Air source heat pumps are the dominant source of home heating and cooling in a single system. However, in colder climates, like here in the Kootenays, they are not very well known.

The technology found in an air source heat pump is similar to what operates in your refrigerator. Using a simple refrigeration cycle, refrigerators remove heat from your food and drinks and push it out into the kitchen. This is why the coils on the back of your refrigerator will feel warm. This process of moving heat is achieved by taking advantage of the energy stored and released when a refrigerant changes from a liquid to a gas.

Simply put, a heat pump can move heat into or out of your home. In the summer time, it acts just like a standard air conditioner and moves heat from inside your home to the outdoors. It does exactly the opposite in the winter; it captures heat from the outdoors and moves it into your home, keeping you and your family warm.

How does it get heat from cold outside air? Heat is molecular motion in the air. The temperature at which molecular motion stops, also known as Absolute Zero, is -459°F. That means that, even at -30°F, there is plenty of heat in the air that we can take advantage of.

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If you are interested in more information or would like to receive a quote for a heat pump installation, send us a message using the "Request a Quote" box below.