What is a heat pump and what are its benefits?

A heat pump takes heat energy from one place and moves it to another – just like a refrigerator. In summer, it moves heat out of the house, and in the winter it moves heat into the house – even if it’s cold outside. Heat pumps are able to transfer heat using a process of evaporation and condensation of a substance called refrigerant that cycles between the indoor and outdoor units.

With a heat pump, you can enjoy the following benefits:

• Year-round comfort: A heat pump takes the place of both an air conditioner and a heating system, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
• Maximum efficiency: When properly installed, a heat pump uses half to a third as much energy as electric baseboards or a gas furnace.
• Climate Friendly: For an average home heated by natural gas, switching to a heat pump reduces your carbon footprint by about the same amount as not driving your car for 9 months of the year*.
• Better indoor air quality: Most heat pumps provide air flow and dehumidification with options to add an enhanced filtration system to clean the air circulating through your home of indoor pollutants, dust, pollen, and other allergens.

*If you are using BC grid electricity, which is close to zero-emission.

Did you see a building science or energy efficiency term you did not understand? Check out our glossary.