A dual fuel central ducted heat pump distributes warm and cool air through ductwork in your walls, ceilings or floors. A single central thermostat controls the temperature. A back-up heat source helps during very cold weather.
Heating mode:
- Outside air is drawn over a refrigerant coil in the outdoor unit
- Heat from the air warms the refrigerant in the coil
- The refrigerant is compressed into a hot, high-pressure vapour
- Lines bring the vapourized refrigerant into your house to the indoor unit (also known as an air handler)
- In the indoor unit, the vapourized refrigerant passes through another coil where the heat is pulled out and mixed with the indoor air
- A fan sends the warm air around your home in your ducting and vents
- At a pre-set temperature, a back-up furnace turns onto supplement the heating
Cooling mode is a reverse of heating mode:
- The indoor unit pulls heat from the indoor air and carries it outside through the refrigerant lines
- A fan sends the cooled air around your home in your ducting and vents