How does a heat pump operate?

A heat pump operates primarily by transferring heat from one location to another, rather than generating heat directly. This mechanism allows the system to move heat energy, which can be drawn from the outside air, ground, or water, and then pumped indoors or vice versa, depending on whether it is in heating or cooling mode.

In heating mode, a heat pump extracts heat from a colder outside environment and transfers it indoors, effectively using the refrigeration cycle to increase the temperature of the extracted heat before releasing it into the living space. Conversely, in cooling mode, the process is reversed, allowing the heat pump to remove heat from the indoor air and expel it outside.

This operation method is highly efficient, as it utilizes existing heat rather than creating it, which is why heat pumps are valued for their energy efficiency in both residential and commercial applications.